The New Moon and the New Plight

1 November 2008 0725 hours

Today is the maiden day for the new month of November 2008 of the Gregorian Year which is equivalent to the first day of Zulhijjah of the Islamic Calendar 1429.

It's quite rare both calendars share the same platform. In this month of Zulhijjah, about two million Muslims all over the world would make their journeys - on foot, horses, bicyles, motorcycles, cars, lorries, buses, boats, ferries and aeroplanes, to Mekah in order to perform their holy matrimony, i.e. to make their haj which is the fifth Islamic Commandment.

Being a Muslim means one has to carry out the five basic tenets of Islam, i.e.:
1. To pledge that There is no God except Allah
2. To perform Five obligatory prayers daily
3. To fast in the Month of Ramadan
4. To give alms to the poor and the needies
5. To make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Mekah, (To those who are financially and physically healthy in the month of Zulkaedah
The first batch of about 350 Malaysian Muslims left for Mekah yesterday, Thursday, 3th October 2008. The pilgrims were being sent off by the HRH the King of Malaysia at Kelana Jaya. They will be away for about 40 day, during which they have to perform some religious rituals in Mekah, Arafat and Medina. The act of performing Haj needs physical and spiritual commitments and dedication.
To all pilgrims we pray for their safety and submissioon to Allah.

Whilst the Muslims are heading for Mekah, the Christians will be experiencing the cold temperatures of winter; the Hindus have just celebrated their Deepavali; the Buddists have no religious activties this month.
Whatever your belief is, we are all the children of one God, Allah.

Dr Bano