Pakistanis Finalize Hajj Training

Receiving a simulating Hajj experience, thousands of Pakistani would-be pilgrims are finalizing a special training for the ceremonies of the life-time journey to avoid stampede and mistakes in the annual pilgrimage that draws 2-3 million Muslims from across the globe.

“The training programs were aimed to enable the intending pilgrims to perform Hajj rituals with ease, Over 389 training sessions had been planned in the Hajj Camps of Islamabad,” an official of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony told Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) on Monday, September 2.

“The training also covers how to wear `Ahram’ and observe sanctity of the holy places besides performing rituals at Madinah and offering prayers at Masjid-e-Nabawi and `Salam’ at `Rawdat-al-Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him),” he added.
The training program was launched last August 13 in Hajj camps in seven cities across the country.
The program aims to enable would-be pilgrims to perform Hajj rituals with ease.
To grant trainee a precise simulated experience, models, charts, maps, sketches, lectures and TV, were used during sessions.
Offering over 389 training sessions, the training will be concluded on Tuesday, September 3.
The religious affairs official added that informative booklets, Hajj literature and video cassettes were distributed among would-be pilgrims free of cost.
Seasonal vaccines will be given for all Pakistani pilgrims to avoid viral diseases.
Millions of Muslims from around the world pour into Makkah every year to perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Hajj consists of several ceremonies, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform hajj at least once in a lifetime.
Some 3.1 million pilgrims performed the Hajj last year, most of them from abroad.
About 143,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to offer pilgrimage next October.
First flights, amounting to 288 from various airlines, are expected to begin on next September 9.

Source: OnIslam