Tajik pilgrims set off in Hajj with 20 medics
Dushanbe. 3 September. “Asia Plus” — Tajik pilgrims, who have set off to the sacred places of Islam, are served by 20 medics. They were selected by the Religious Affairs Committee through competition.
As reported the Committee on Religious Affairs and streamline the customs and traditions of Tajikistan, it often happens that pilgrims` health, because of acclimatization or their age, can worsen. Because of this, was decided to send Tajik medics to Hajj together with the pilgrims.
Meanwhile, according to a source, our pilgrims have been already settled in the hotels of Mecca and Medina. The hotels are located 4 km away from the Kaaba – the place where will be held the main religious events. The hotel is decorated with Tajik symbolic. Daily list of departing pilgrims is publishing on the website of the Religious Affairs Committee – din.tj.
Meanwhile, as reported the Islamic Center of Tajikistan, preliminary date of Idi Kurbon is scheduled for September 24. The exact date will be announced after the meeting of the ulema Council, which will be held in few days.
Feast of Sacrifice is a part of the pilgrimage Muslim rite to Mecca, which is celebrated from the 8th to 10th day of Zul-Hijja month of the Muslim lunar calendar, during the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Early in the morning of the 10th Dhul-Hijjah day, is the day of Idi Kurbon (Id al-Adha) celebration.
On the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrims are stocking water and go through small, elongated from west to east valley of Mina and Muzdalifah to Arafat mount, located 25 kilometers away from Mecca. The night from the 8th to the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrims spend in Mina valley, and on the 9th day of the takes place a central rite of the hajj – standing near Arafat mount. After the sunset the pilgrims run back to Muzdalifah valley, where they accomplish general pray in front of the brightly lit mosque.
Early in the morning of the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrims pray, go back to Mina valley, where they accomplish the ritual of biting Shaitan with seven stones picked up in Muzdalifah, throwing them into the last of the three pillars symbolizing Iblis (Satan).
Then goes the ritual of sacrificing, the slaughter of a sacrificial animal. After the sacrifice, pilgrims cut their hair and shave off the beard. The women cut off a lock of hair. Shaved and cut hair they bury in the ground of Mina valley. After this pilgrims return to Mecca. For three days, from 11th to 13th of Dhul-Hijjah pilgrims continue to accomplish sacrifices and re-visit Mina valley, where they continue to throw stones at all three pillars.
All Hajj rituals end with on the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah. Pilgrims come out from Ihram condition and gain the title of Haji.
In the current year, according to the quota provided by the Tajikistan Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia, the rite of “pilgrimage” will make about 6 thousand Tajik citizens.
