HJ ZULHEIMY - DOWN MEMORY LANE: HAJJ JOURNEY 2017 - MUZDALIFAH & MINA, SAUDI ARABIA

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

10 APRIL 2024 (1 SYAWAL 1445)

After sunset of the 9th of Zulhijjah (31 August 2017) we move to Muzdalifah to spend a night. Muzdalifah is an open area near Mecca on the way to our next stop that is Mina.

The travel distance from Arafah to Muzdalifah is 10.90 km. We are required to spend a night and stay there until after Fajr (dawn). Mashar al Haram is another name for Muzdalifah.

Stopping at Muzdalifah, performing the Maghrib and Isya' prayers and spending afterwards some time of the night there, approximately until after the midnight, is obligatory.

Muzdalifah is normally defined as a place between Arafah and Mina, unlike Arafah, Muzdalifah is part of the Haram (sanctuary) of Makkah.

At Muzdalifah, a pilgrim also collects pebbles for the ritual of stoning the jammarat (symbolically, the devil) later at Mina.

However this year Hajj Season 1438H (2017), the Muassasah has prepared the pebbles for each pilgrim, so we are no longer to collect the pebbles at Muzdalifah.

A red carpet was also installed in Muzdalifah for the comfort of the Hajj Pilgrims because before there was no carpet provided.

This is how pilgrims from other countries move to Muzdalifah. How lucky Malaysian pilgrims are because of Tabung Haji, which manages all the movements of pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.

MUZDALIFA TO MINA

At midnight, we will be moved from Muzdalifah to Mina for the stoning (ramy) of Jamrat al-Kubra. Distance from Muzdalifa to Mina is only 6 km.

After midnight on August 31, 2017, we left for Mina, which is located about 6 km from Muzdalifah. Mabit di Mina is one of the obligatory Hajj rituals that must be performed by the pilgrims.

All Malaysian pilgrims were taken by bus, even though the distance to the camp in Mina was only 6 kilometers (km). The advantage is that thousands of pilgrims can immediately leave Muzdalifah before dawn. If not, the test is greater because of the heat of the sun's rays.

At the same time, many pilgrims from other countries flocked to walk on a separate route from the bus route to Mina.

In Mina, we were placed in the tent according to the number written on the pilgrim identification badge sticker. The area of the tent in Mina is smaller than in Arafah, accommodating 18 pilgrims in one space. Here, we sleep with our feet touching the feet and our heads touching the heads of other pilgrims. I was unlucky because the space was too narrow, so I had to sleep with my legs bent. But I am satisfied with all these provisions... after all, it is only 3 nights because I have prepared before during the Hajj course to be ready to face all kinds of tests and challenges in the Holy Land, especially in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

What I can say is that after I returned to my homeland after completing the Hajj, I really missed the atmosphere in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina... I do not deny this... even though I had to sleep in crowded conditions and wait for my turn and queue for a long time in the toilet, but all of this becomes a sweet memory after we return to our homeland... we will not be able to experience this atmosphere in any other place... only when performing Hajj do we experience all of this...

Office Number 87 means Maktab 87

MINA TENT FOR MAKTAB 87

The small banner with the word RUMAH (HOUSE) written on it is to make it easier for Hajj pilgrims to remember where their Tent is.

Mina is one of the biggest challenges of Hajj, the hot weather, cramped space and limited amenities demand the pilgrims to have a great deal of patience and consideration for others.

Mina is a valley 6 km east of the Masjid al-Haram in Mekkah, is one of the Masy'ar al-Haram and included in the boundaries of the Holy Land. . It's where Hajj pilgrims sleep overnight on the 8th, 11th, 12th (and some even on the 13th) of Dzulhijjah. The valley of Mina contains the Jamarat, the three stone pillars which are pelted by pilgrims as part of the ritual of hajj.

The 12th day is the day of 'Nafar Awal', which means the pilgrims are allowed to leave Mina, and the 13th day is called the day of 'Nafar Thani'. The purpose of Nafar Awal is to reduce the duration of hajj while Nafar Thani means performing the usual hajj.

MASJID KHAIF

Here, there is also the Khaif Mosque, which is the camping site of Rasulullah s.a.w., as well as al-Jamratul Sughra, al-Jamratul Wusta, and al-Jamratul Kubra, which are the throwing places.

Now, Mina is divided into three main areas: Mina Jamarat, which is located close to the throwing place; Mina Mu'aisim, which is approximately 3 km from the jamarat and is the burial area for the majority of Malaysian pilgrims; and Mina al-Marhalah al-Thalithah, which is about 3 km away from the jamarat.

Our neighbour, a group from Kelantan

The biggest challenge in Mina is having to stand in long queues to use the toilet and bathroom. When this photo was taken, many pilgrims had not yet arrived in Mina, so it did not look crowded. On the actual day, there will be many people in long queues for each toilet. This is the atmosphere that I can't forget after I returned to my homeland... despite the great pressure and challenges, it is still a sweet memory for me.

We would like to praise the TH Officials and others for their tireless dedication in serving the pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage, including when faced with short tempers and littl patience. Another concern will be hot weather, which is expected to range between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. This will be challenge for pilgrims and TH officials. Thank you for your services.

Head of Malaysian Hajj Tender 1438H Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman delivered a mandate to Tabung Haji (TH) officers at the TH Headquarters at Abraj Al Janadriyyah (BERNAMA)

To ease the preparation of food for pilgrims during wuquf at Arafah and Mina, Tabung Haji provide ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, including curry chicken and chicken tikka masala.

The food comes in food pouches and are prepared at an RTE retort factory in Jeddah.

Al-Wafa Catering and Services, one of the appointed Kitchen, all caterers undergo regular checks by the TH medical and internal audit teams.

The situation outside the Mina tent was quite busy with traders along the lane. There are many stalls selling food and drinks outside the tents, including street vendors that fill the alleys around Mina.

Among the best sellers here are Indo mee Cup and espresso coffee, the choice of pilgrims who have just returned from Jamrat to Mina.