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**9mm_fan** · 12-08-2008, 08:42 AM

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI

MINA, Saudi Arabia

Dec. 7: Chanting prayers, nearly 3 million pilgrims from about 100 countries converged on Saturday in a valley just outside the holy city of Mecca at the beginning of the 5-day haj pilgrimage, a lifelong dream for many Muslims.

The pilgrims left Mecca after completing the first ritual of the Haj by circling the sacred Kaaba stone structure seven times inside the Grand Mosque, which Muslims all over the world face during their five daily prayers. Dressed in white robes, pilgrims piled into and on top of buses on their way to a ritual of prayer and reflection in Mina, some 3 miles east of Mecca.

The journey caused massive traffic jams on roads leading to Mina, where pilgrims will spend the night in white, fireproof tents. Some pilgrims chose to walk the route.

The Haj, packed with symbolism and ritual, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim who can financially afford to must perform it at least once in his or her lifetime. For Ahmed Malek, a pilgrim from the Maldives, the Haj teaches that all people are equal before God.

"Here, all the people are wearing identical white dress, no matter who they are," said Malek. "I get the lesson that all human beings will be judged on the basis of their deeds, not colour, race or social position." —AP

12-08-2008, 08:42 AM	#2
9mm_fan Join Date May 2007 Age 53 Posts 5,191 Senior Member	By ALI AKBAR DAREINI MINA, Saudi Arabia Dec. 7: Chanting prayers, nearly 3 million pilgrims from about 100 countries converged on Saturday in a valley just outside the holy city of Mecca at the beginning of the 5-day haj pilgrimage, a lifelong dream for many Muslims. The pilgrims left Mecca after completing the first ritual of the Haj by circling the sacred Kaaba stone structure seven times inside the Grand Mosque, which Muslims all over the world face during their five daily prayers. Dressed in white robes, pilgrims piled into and on top of buses on their way to a ritual of prayer and reflection in Mina, some 3 miles east of Mecca. The journey caused massive traffic jams on roads leading to Mina, where pilgrims will spend the night in white, fireproof tents. Some pilgrims chose to walk the route. The Haj, packed with symbolism and ritual, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim who can financially afford to must perform it at least once in his or her lifetime. For Ahmed Malek, a pilgrim from the Maldives, the Haj teaches that all people are equal before God. "Here, all the people are wearing identical white dress, no matter who they are," said Malek. "I get the lesson that all human beings will be judged on the basis of their deeds, not colour, race or social position." —AP
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