MINA, 10 February 2003 — What was a virtual ghost town on Saturday was transformed into a sea of pilgrims dressed in white ihram by noon prayers yesterday.
Pilgrims could be seen resting under bridges, in the open luggage compartments of buses, and all over the rolling hills of Mina.
More than two million Muslims have arrived to perform the Haj, and 60,000 security personnel are on hand to ensure that everything goes smoothly for them. Everyone, from Baladiyah employees who pick up the trash to the emergency room doctors at the Mina Hospital, are performing a crucial role.
Members of the Saudi Boy Scouts are providing directions to lost pilgrims.
Food sellers are pushing their carts through the masses of people. Civil defense officers on motorcycles are checking that the new fire safety regulations are being adhered to — each motorcycle with two fire extinguishers attached to them just in case.
Dozens of ambulances provided by the Ministry of Health and the Red Crescent Society are patrolling both the legal and illegal encampments, without prejudice, assisting pilgrims and advising them on how to keep healthy and avoid the common ailments that have proved horribly contagious during past Haj seasons.
The pilgrims arrived in Mina yesterday from Makkah, where they had performed the Tawaf.
They then spent the night in Mina. For the whole of today, Mina will again be transformed into a ghost town as the pilgrims make their way to Arafat to pray for forgiveness.
Before sunset, they will leave Arafat and make their way to Muzdallifah, where they will spend the night outdoors — under the stars.
Tomorrow morning, the pilgrims will return to Mina for the first ritual stoning of the devil, and to sacrifice animals.
Arab News visited the American delegation of pilgrims organized by “The Mosque Cares” organization.
“It is the blessed duty of every Muslim to fulfill this pillar of Islam. It is a very satisfying and unifying experience,” said Imam Noah Seifullah, from Grand Rapids in Michigan.
“Islam is all about patience,” said Abdul Jaleel of Los Angeles. “Whatever the provocation, Muslims should hold on to their beliefs, hold on to their faith and prove to others that Islam is not about fanaticism. Peace is the middle name of Islam. We have to tell the world at large that those behind the Sept. 11 did not represent Islam.”
“It is the media that is drilling the correlation between Islam and terrorism into the minds of the Americans because the media rules America — not the government,” he added.
Mohammed Siddeeq from Indianapolis, Indiana, who claimed to have played a prominent role in bringing Mike Tyson into the fold of Islam, said: “Muslims should redouble their efforts to seek out and rediscover the true roots of Islam.We have to be nice and polite in our workplace and in our homes and in our relationships with others in our day-to-day affairs, because this reflects the true spirit of Islam.”
“The smear campaign against Islam and Muslims in the West should not deter us from the path of salvation. Islam is a religion that offers individuals a way of gaining tremendous spirituality and solace.”
“I’m very happy to be a part of this multilingual, multicultural congregation,” said Reyhan Habib-Ullah of New Jersey.
“Being in Mina is an experience I just can’t begin to describe.”
