Daily Times

For Muslims around the globe, three months of the Islamic calendar carry special significance and respect: Ramadan, Rabi-ul-Awwal and Zil Hajj. In these three months, Muslims from all over the world visit the holiest places in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and Hajj and visit the Masjid-e-Nabvi and the Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH). The maximum number of pilgrims visit Makkah and Madina in the month of Zil Hajj when Muslims visit to perform Hajj–one of the five pillars of Islam.

Millions of Muslims gather in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah with utmost dedication. They recite nothing but ” Labbak Allahuma Labbak, Labbaik La Shareeka Laka Labbak” (O Allah, here I am answering your call and I bear witness that You have no partner). A unique gathering of pilgrims–young and old men and women–speaks different languages. Yet, their language is the same, which is submission to the will of Allah. In 2013, I was one of those privileged and fortunate enough to join those millions and witness the largest gathering of human beings at one place. Practically, an ocean of men in Ihram’s two sheets of white cloth with women covering themselves from head to toe, have only one wish to submit themselves before Allah.

An unbelievable sight; a miracle on earth; a wonder; the parallel of which can’t be found anywhere on earth. No chaos, no confusion, no disarray, no disorder. Every movement, every second and every motion of the pilgrims are well calculated as if the pilgrims are being controlled by remote control.

This has become possible only because of the intensive research and sincere efforts of the Saudi Government, keeping in mind the hardships to be faced by the pilgrims. The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has left no stone unturned in making Haj as comfortable as possible for all intending pilgrims, irrespective of nationality, colour or caste. For the Saudi government, all pilgrims are the guests of Allah and are treated as equals, may they be kings or beggars, rich or poor. Utmost efforts are taken to make every pilgrim feel like a VIP. Managing and controlling such a gathering of the human race is humanly impossible, but the government of Saudi Arabia has proved that impossible is a word which doesn’t exist for them.

Before departing for Hajj, I had many fears in my mind: long delays, chaos, the undisciplined staff at airports. Yet, all my fears proved to be wrong the moment I landed at Jeddah International Airport. Basic formalities like immigration, customs and medical were completed within no time. Countless counters were there to handle the inflow of thousands of pilgrims at a time. At every counter, the concerned staff was courteous, polite, civilised and gentle; welcoming every pilgrim; wishing them a safe and happy stay in the holy land.

Sitting arrangements were made with ample space clearly marked for not only countries but also cities. The markings were in English, Arabic and the native language of that country along with the flags of the country.

Eatables and drinks were available in abundance.

Every Saudi government employee at the airport was more than willing to extend a helping hand to the pilgrims with a broad and genuine smile on their faces. With almost no delay, we were requested to board the buses for our onward journey to Mecca, while our luggage was taken care of by the airport staff. Extremely comfortable coaches/buses were provided and the luggage was loaded within no time. I didn’t see anyone complaining about the loss of luggage, which is very normal at all international airports.

On the way to Makkah, lunchboxes were provided and once in Mecca, the Moallam, in our case, Maktab No 07, received us, offered prayers and welcomed all pilgrims.

Every pilgrim was given gifts and soft drinks with utmost respect and dignity. We had literally started feeling like VIPs. Though it was late in the night, the Moallam boarded every coach with a broad smile. For him too, every pilgrim was a guest of Allah, so he was feeling proud to receive the guests of Allah. The Moallam was so accommodating that when in Mina, I was in the need of a wheelchair at late hours, he arranged it though it was almost impossible at such late hours of the night. I wonder how someone can be so courteous at such late hours. Checking in the hotels was again rapid, speedy and swift as if everything was pre-arranged.

The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has left no stone unturned in making Haj as comfortable as possible for all intending pilgrims

Performing Umrah after reaching Mecca was also trouble-free though the extensive expansion work of Haram Sharif was in progress.

Millions of people from different countries and cultures were speaking different languages. Nowhere in the world is there such a gathering of young and old, men and women, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, practically people from every walk of life, at one place where every individual, irrespective of caste or nationality, is treated equally with utmost respect and honour. No words can define such a gathering of human beings.

It is the most astonishing wonder of the world. The human mind fails to apprehend how the government of Saudi Arabia manages all this.

Hot temperatures and dehydration are two of the most common problems, which a pilgrim could encounter. The government of Saudi Arabia has taken into consideration this natural problem and installed top-class air-conditioning units at every place of worship with water dispensers and heat resistant tiles for the comfort of the pilgrims. Coldwater and soft drinks, along with Zam Zam, are always available in abundance and free-of-cost.

Throughout the Haj process, even the minutest details were taken care of.

In Mina, the tents were kept cleaned and well-ventilated with adequate arrangements of cooling. The head of the Muktab visited the camps; interacting with the pilgrims, listening to their problems if any and instructing the concerned officials on the spot. Passages for the pedestrians were kept clear all the times.

All sorts of soft drinks and food were available in abundance. At Arafat, lunch was given by the Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifan. It was a lavish feast but unfortunately, our people, the people of the land of pure, behaved in the most uncivilised manner. So, finally, the organisers were left with no option but to close the doors of the tent in which the food tables were spread most decoratively with a vast variety of food. People rushed to get food as if they had been hungry for centuries; not even thinking of elderly or disabled people.

Even then, the Saudi staff assigned with the duty of serving the pilgrims behaved most respectfully and decently. One needs iron nerves to be patient and dutiful towards such a disorganised and hungry crowd.

I witnessed people making videos at Haram Sharif during Sai and Tawaf and at the mosque of the Prophet at the Roza-e-Rasool. This caused great hurdles for the pilgrims. Even then, the security staff on duty at these Holy places remained courteous and polite; only requesting them not to make videos or photographs.

The government of KSA should ban the entry of mobile phones, tablets and cameras etc. or otherwise, at least confiscate such items if anyone was found making videos or photographs. This would greatly make the pilgrimage of these Holy places trouble-free.

Utilising the advanced technology, scientific gadgets and IT, the Saudi government has greatly controlled the accidents, such as stampedes and fires.

The stoning of Satan at Jamrat has been made completely safe and trouble-free. Millions of people, with very high emotions, under one roof were performing the secret duty of stoning. Yet, no stampede and chaos ensued. With cool air circulating, entry and exit points were made separate for performing the stoning with ease and comfort.

The Mashaer rail network has ensured smooth traffic.

Saudi authorities have contracted a security company to organise the boarding of pilgrims on the trains during the Haj season.

There were 20 trains, each 300-meter long and with a capacity of 3,500 pilgrims. Security arrangement was excellent and no security laps were seen and no untoward incident took place.

According to the figures available, more than two million people from around the globe performed the Hajj that year. Surprisingly, every place was kept perfectly clean. According to one report, approximately 53,000 tonnes of garbage was collected from Mina, Arfat and Muzdalfa alone. This could become possible only because of the will, dedication and sincerity of the Saudi government, which is not less than a miracle and a parallel of which is impossible to find anywhere around the globe. Millions of animals were sacrificed but nowhere could one find any traces of it.

Traffic was kept orderly all the times. There were no traffic jams. The pilgrims were being prioritised everywhere. On roads, free soft drinks and eatables were being distributed for the pilgrims and in abundance. In short, it was a flawless arrangement and the Saudi government deserves applause from all pilgrims, in particular, and the Muslims around the globe, in general.

Upon reaching Lahore, it was the most disappointing experience of my life when I witnessed people returning from the holy land and fighting at the luggage conveyor belt for Zam Zam. They were pushing ladies and old people to collect their baggage; abusing each other while outside the airport building, it was a pathetic scene for which I have no words to explain.

The writer is a former marine engineer, presently working in a private organisation in Lahore. He can be reached at aamiraqil@yahoo.com and aamir@matrix.pk