Haj Means 'Shut Up', Pilgrims Complain (Saudi Arabia)

IOL ^ | 1-7-2004 | Farook Khan

[blam]

Haj means 'shut up', pilgrims complain

January 07 2004 at 01:59PM

By Farook Khan

The Muslim faithful who throng Mecca during the annual haj pilgrimage "must not cause trouble", Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abul Aziz has warned.

"All the pilgrims must carry out their rituals and avoid anything which might disturb their pilgrimage or that of their brothers," Abdullah told a cabinet meeting in the capital this week.

The Saudi authorities have issued similar warnings every year, also banning meetings or the raising of slogans, since 1987 when clashes between security forces and Iranians protesting against Israel and the United States officially left 402 people dead.

Ministers reviewed general preparations for the annual gathering of more than two million people at Mecca, which is set to climax in February.

'It is clear the Saudis want haj to be a pointless ritual' "Pilgrims must be provided with all facilities to help them perform their duties with ease and comfort," Abdullah said.

The haj to Mecca takes place early next month and is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. Islamic law requires able-bodied Muslims to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime - provided they can afford it.

Meanwhile, South Africa's Muslim leaders have reacted sternly to the "behave-or-else" edict, saying the Saudi Arabian government would like the haj to be reduced to an "empty ritual".

Firoz Osman of the Media Review Network in Middleburg said the Crown Prince was, in effect, telling pilgrims there was no freedom of expression in the Holy Land.

"It is clear the Saudis want haj to be a pointless ritual where no major issues affecting the global community can be debated openly. Simply put, this warning is telling pilgrims to shut up," said Osman.

'More than 40 people died in a protest against the United States'

Moulana Rafeek Shah of Phoenix said the Saudis were clearly nervous about any potential unrest or demonstrations.

"In 1987, more than 40 people died in a protest against the United States of America and Israel. They do not want a similar situation on their hands."

UDW political scientist Lubna Nadvi said the warning showed just how active the United States was in the Muslim Holy Land.

"The crown prince's warning also tells us that the Saudis are not welcoming us with open arms as true brothers and sisters," Nadvi said.

"Haj is not about simply performing rituals; it is an opportunity and a forum for debate on issues affecting the global Muslim community".

Other South African Muslims pointed out they had an alternative vision, economic system, lifestyle, and even morality compared to the West.

They said the spirit of haj, as well as the sacrifice, dedication, leadership and aspirations of Muslims, were being ignored and that the Saudis wanted them to merely come to the Holy Land, perform their rituals and then get out.

[blam]

The Religion Of Peace.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

the Saudis wanted them to merely come to the Holy Land, perform their rituals and then get out.

Sounds like a catchy tourism slogan.

[Alouette]

In 1987, more than 40 people died in a protest against the United States of America and Israel.

And the main reason they are so p!$$#d is that they can't blame it on IDF or US troops opening fire.

[js1138]

Welcome to Mecca. Now go home.

[RonF]

"Haj is not about simply performing rituals; it is an opportunity and a forum for debate on issues affecting the global Muslim community".

Be interesting to see where in the Koran he finds this.

[JudgemAll]

oh well, I guess they will have to use a suicide bomber to express themselves.

[kingu]

They need to set up an official protest area where people can gather and share their feelings, for and against. Make sure the official protest area is well away from the actual route of the Haj, and ensure that the area is very well stocked with firearms.

To pay for the official protest area and ammunition, they could make videos. Uncensored DVDs would likely sell well in certain parts of the world.

[Cronos]

Yeah, normally the Koran says: "If there is somethign affecting the global Muslim community then launch a jihad against the infidels." Presumably it also says "If you have an ingrown toenail or a stomach ulcer, launch a jihad against the indels." and "If you think the earth is really flat and not round, launch a jihad against the indels."

[af_vet_1981]

The Religion Of Peace.

Actually, the want the haj to be peaceful so they are trying to reign in the people coming to party ...

[af_vet_1981]

They need to set up an official protest area where people can gather and share their feelings, for and against. Make sure the official protest area is well away from the actual route of the Haj.

Do you mean Berkeley or could it be any major city in the States ?

[kingu]

Do you mean Berkeley or could it be any major city in the States ?

I was more thinking of it being in Saudi Arabia. Such a well equipped protest zone isn't needed in the United States, protesters here are more than able to bring their own party favors.

[bert]

HRH CP Abdullah is stating the fact that as Keeper of the Two Holy mosques, he has a duty to provide all the world's Faithful the opportunity for a genuine religious experience. The hajj should be a deeply spiritual observance and unmarred by the political beliefs and expressions of those unwilling to participate in a deeply spiritual event. All the political baggage should be checked at the Jeddah airport.

Disruptor's unwilling to separate political from religious views at Haj will be unwelcome.

[RansomOttawa]

Firoz Osman of the Media Review Network in Middleburg said the Crown Prince was, in effect, telling pilgrims there was no freedom of expression in the Holy Land.

No freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia? No, really? The irony is tangible.

[Loyalist]

As I recall, at least a handful of people get trampled to death in the crowds at the haj each year, and sometimes dozens or hundreds.

You`d think after centuries of pilgrimages to Mecca, the haj organizers would have learned something about crowd control.

[woofer]

the Saudis wanted them to merely come to the Holy Land, perform their rituals and then get out.

Yeah, and bring some money, dammit.

Nothing the Saudi royals hate worse than 1,999,900 dirt poor mooslums showing up for the Hadj and sticking around afterwards, looking for free lunches and a job.

[blam]

The Saudis are just mad because they have to supply all the toilet paper.

[woofer]

The Saudis are just mad ...

How ya doin' blam?

If you had ended your reply where I cut it off, you'd be right on the mark.

[blam]

"How ya doin' blam?"

Pretty good except we have a forecast of 32 degrees tonight. Brrrr

[McGavin999]

Uhhhhh, let's see, a religious pilgramage, made once in a lifetime for most, and you're just supposed to go to worship, show your respect for God, and go home. That's all the Saudis are asking.

Those who would turn the holy pilgramage into a political scene are blasphemers, right?

[Thumper1960]

"It is clear the Saudis want haj to be a pointless ritual where no major issues affecting the global community can be debated openly. Simply put, this warning is telling pilgrims to shut up," said Osman.

Well.......It is! When was it ever, not?!