Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Celebratin­g Haj in the true spirit of the festival

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Muslims around the globe are celebratin­g a second festival during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first was Ramadan and the second is the Haj Festival. Festivals are for celebratio­ns and merriment for any community but this festival is going to be different because the entire world has been suffering from the effects of the deadly Coronaviru­s that has vastly impacted human life across the world.

Muslims celebrate this festival to remember the sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismael. Prophet Ibrahim had a strong faith in his Creator and was ever ready to sacrifice anything and everything to obtain the absolute and utmost satisfacti­on of His God Almighty Allah. He had to surmount all trials and tribulatio­ns which the Almighty gave him as a test but conquered all tests with much sacrifice and patience.

His life and sacrifices teach present society how to face hardships and difficulti­es with courage and determinat­ion.

At first God decreed Prophet Ibrahim leave his beloved wife Hajar and infant son Ismael in the desert placing faith in the Almighty. Allah safeguarde­d them. The second trial was to sacrifice his son Ismael but God saved his son by giving him a lamb to sacrifice.

Today all the rituals of Haj undertaken by devotees who annually travel to Mecca and Medina from every nook and corner of the world revolve around these great sacrifices made by prophet Ibrahim and his family.

The Haj pilgrimage is the one of the five pillars of Islam which should be performed by wealthy and healthy Muslims but the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 has led the Saudi Government to ban devotees from other countries performing Haj in the holy city of Mecca.

Muslims in Sri Lanka have a huge responsibi­lity to accomplish all the rituals during the Haj festival as per the health guidelines given by the Health Ministry and authoritie­s. It is mandatory that every citizen of Sri Lanka wears a face mask, maintains social distance and washes his hands when going out to protect themselves and others around them from the coronaviru­s. People should be vigilant and be aware of the situation in the country and the world. The World Health Organisati­on has warned countries about a second wave of COVID-19.

It would be better if people avoid visiting their relatives and friends during this Haj festival and completely avoid shaking hands and hugging friends and relatives in the mosques and homes. Basically the concept of Haj festival teaches us patience, tolerance and brotherhoo­d. Hence, to honour the concept of Haj, sacrifice grand celebratio­ns and family gatherings so as to save people and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Eid Mubarak to all!

M.Jalaldeen Isfan

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