ARAFAT: It’s safe to say that the last two days could not be more different from each other. Wednesday saw Mina engulfed in a torrent of rain, causing much difficulty for pilgrims. Thursday, on the other hand, was a blazing hot day in Arafat, with many pilgrims struggling with the heat despite the numerous water sprinklers designed to cool the air. Arab News was on a mission to locate some British pilgrims in the European section, which meant a long walk through numerous vast camps teeming with pilgrims.
No doubt one of the godsends for pilgrims has been the various stalls selling fruit and vegetables. Some sellers will often hand out bananas voluntarily to Hajis, no doubt to earn extra blessings. Charity organizations also help pilgrims by handing out free meals. It is most likely that you will spot the large crowds before you notice the harassed charity worker desperately trying to hand out food quickly.
Other stallholders take a more novel approach, such as Abdul Ali. He makes money by offering pilgrims the opportunity to have their picture taken beside a beautiful camel, for just SR10. Ali only agreed to a small interview once Arab News paid him for two photographs, presumably because he was more focused on making enough money to feed him and his camel for a few days.
“I earn between SR1,000 and SR1,500 a day during the Haj,” he told Arab News. “It is not much, but by the grace of Allah it is enough.”
On the way to the European camp, in the center of the campsite, is the modern and spacious Al-Rahma Mountain Hospital. Outside, an ambulance tries to navigate through throngs of pilgrims, many of whom have stopped to offer a prayer for the unfortunate soul being treated inside the vehicle.
Unfortunately, this honorable action also causes chaos in the area, with many Hajis unable to move and resorting to pushing and shoving to gain even an inch of space.
After escaping the near-crush Arab News managed to get inside the hospital and talk to the Medical Director of Disaster Management Dr. Nadir Hamza Mutair.
He was looking very nervous because the minister of health was expected within minutes to make a visit. But after some gentle persuasion, he agreed to speak to Arab News.
The doctor said every patient had been dealt with properly and efficiently by the hospital.
“All the cases are in the normal range. There has been nothing serious. They include sickness, exhaustion from walking, diabetes, all normal. It has just been a normal day.”
On the health minister’s visit, the doctor said it was a routine tour that would take in hospitals in Makkah, Mina and Arafat. He would check on the health of the pilgrims and how they were being treated.
Finally, after a good hour’s walk, Arab News managed to find the European pilgrims’ camp, which bizarrely also included American and Canadian Hajis (maybe they should have named it the Westerners’ camp?).
The anticipation of completing this crucial stage of Haj made for a powerful and spiritual atmosphere in the area. Clearly, it appeared the bad weather of two days ago has been swiftly forgotten.
But for Canadian pilgrim Mohammed Mezahi, 51, who is performing Haj for the first time, the severe storms in Mina was an experience he definitely would not forget.
“It was a big downpour, some of the tents got flooded, but our tent by the grace of Allah was on a higher pedestal and was OK,” he said.
Mezahi added that he had come with his wife and two children, and all were enjoying the experience and not finding it as tough as expected.
An American pilgrim, Yusuf Abu Bakr, has performed Haj twice despite being only 20 years old.
He last completed the pilgrimage two years ago, and says the experience has made him stronger this time round, wet weather and all. “It’s water, but water has no harm. People will complain but water is water wherever you go. Swine flu, water, whatever. I try not to worry myself about that stuff and I just focus on the good things.”
Sadly, Arab News was not able to find the British pilgrims, but at least one thing was learned. Their neighbors across the Atlantic are certainly not scared of a bit of rain.
