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Jumat, 07 Januari 2011

Hajj, Pilgrimage to Mecca when Millions Worship in Unison

What exactly is it that goes on in Mecca? As a non muslim looking on it appears to be an event, or more correctly a pilgrimage, a worship en masse, bigger then any other in the world. And it happens every year.
Well the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj just announced that Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca (or Makkah), will start on November 14th. The Ministry of Hajj have a very detailed website for all the procedures taking place.
"Hajj" means literally "to set out for a place". For a Muslim, that place is the Holy City of Mecca. We have put together pictures in chronological order, starting on day 1 through day 6 on what exactly goes on and why. [49 Pictures]
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Kaaba in Mecca - people performing Tawaf (circumambulating) the Kaaba. This picture taken from the gate of Abdul Aziz seems to divide the Kaaba and the minarets into mirror images of one another. (Wikipedia/Muhammad Mahdi Karim).
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Map of where Hajj takes place.

Hajj takes between 4 to 6 days to complete, and must be performed according strict rules of conduct.

Miqat, Mecca, Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina, Mecca in that order.

Note: the numbers on the map do not reflect the days. (CC Wikipedia).

Day 1, Miqats: The pilgrims enters at one of the five Miqats (entry points). They put on the Ihram garnet and express their intention to perform Hajj.
In Mecca, they perform the welcome Tawaf (circle the Kaaba seven times) and Sa'y (passing seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwah) before they go to Mina.
In Mina they perform five prayers starting with noon prayer ending with dawn on the day of Arafat.

Day 2 Arafat: When the pilgrims reach Arafat they devote as much time as possible for prayer. When sun sets they leave Arafat for Muzdalifah.
In Muzdalifah they stay nuder the open sky with evening prayer and stay over night. They collect small pebbles for the "stoning" ceremony (ramy), At dawn they pray and then, before sun has risen they set off for Mina.

Day 3, Mina: Pilgrims perform the stoning of the devil, then proceed to Masjid al Haram in Mecca to perform Tawaf al-ifadha.
In Mecca the Tawaf is performed (the Kaaba is circled seven times followed by prayer. Then they again perform Sa'y between Safa and Marwah.
The Pilgrims then drink from the well of Zamzam before they return to Mina.

Day 4-5-6: The Pilgrims stay in Mina for two or three days. At Mina they again stone the three pillars in set order. Some return to Masjid al Haram to perform a farewell Tawaf.
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The large structure in the form of a huge Koran book signifies the miqat or city limits of Mecca (Makkah), Islam's holiest city. Non-Muslims in Jeddah will not get to see this in person as they would have taken the bypass route at least two kilometers away before where this structure stands. Saudi law prohibits non-Muslims from entering Mecca. (CC Acizane Nacizane ).
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Pilgrims prepare to depart to Mina, to begin Hajj, Nov. 25, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Pilgrims entering Mina, to begin Hajj, Nov. 25, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Pilgrim camp at Mina, Nov. 25, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Camps in Mina are divided by country, Nov. 25, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Hard weather will not stop anyone on Hajj, Nov. 25, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Mina's sprawling tent city, Nov. 29, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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White tents as far as the eye can see, Nov. 25, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Pilgrims at Mina at night, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Pilgrims head to the 'mountain of mercy', Nov. 26, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Millions of Pilgrims walk to worship.
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Millions gather at Mount Arafat
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A sea of pilgrims, Thousands of pilgrims crowd Mount Arafat and the surrounding area , Nov. 26, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Praying at Arafat, Nov. 26, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Worship at Mt Arafat, Nov. 26, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Hajj pilgrims leaving Arafat in droves for Muzdalifah at sunset, Nov. 26, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Slipping out of Muzdalifah in the dead of night to get early start on 3rd day of Hajj - roads are packed, Nov. 26, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Small Jamarah up first, Nov. 27, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Stoning of the devil, 2006 (CC Wikipedia/Amellie).
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Stoning of the Devil in Mina, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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PThe Jamarat bridge from the air, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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The Jamarat bridge, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Stoning of the Devil, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Stoning the Jamarat at sunset, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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The expanded Jamarat bridge, Nov. 25, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Jamarat and the Devil, Nov. 27, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Exiting the Jamarat bridge, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Constant rush at KFC in Mecca, Nov. 24, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Worshippers throng the streets and areas outside the Haram, or Grand mosque, in Mecca during afternoon prayer., Nov. 19, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Worshipers in the millions mean that the streets fill up with trash in no time, Nov. 24, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Outside the Grand Mosque, Oct. 13, 2010 (special permission from 'asyiqul^huur).
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Hajj Public Security control room, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Keeping count of worshipers, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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In transit during Hajj, Nov. 28, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Pilgrims on the roof of the Grand mosque, Nov. 29, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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The Haram Sharif, Nov. 29, 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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The scene in Mecca (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Performing Tawaf 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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The Kaaba's golden door 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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The black stone on the Kaaba, 2006 (CC Wikipedia).
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Inside the Kaaba.
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The Well of Zamzam, 2008 (CC Wikipedia).
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Zamzam sign (special permission from 'asyiqul^huur).
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Inside Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque, Oct. 20, 2010 (special permission from 'asyiqul^huur).
Supplicating Pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram. Mecca%2C Saudi Arabia Hajj, Pilgrimage to Mecca when Millions Worship in Unison
Pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram (CC Wikipedia).
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Worshippers flood the Grand mosque, its roof, and all the areas around it during night prayers in Mecca. 2009 (special permission from Omar Chatriwala).
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Mecca Royal Clock Hotel Tower, Oct. 22, 2010 (special permission from 'asyiqul^huur).

Myanmar-Burma, The Golden Land

Pagodas and a Buddhist temple are more or less a synonym of Myanmar, "The golden Land" or "The Land of Pagodas." Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and is currently under house arrest. In December 2004, the junta announced it was extending her detention for at least an additional year. Her supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed. [39 Pictures]
1. boy on train myanmar Myanmar Burma, The Golden Land
Mingâlaba - The train arrived at the station while the sun was fainting away, Myanmar - Burma, January 16, 2007. (CC Tranuf).
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Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar - Burma, 2010 (special permission VenerandaDeLuca/J.Markoff).
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Monks in Myanmar - Burma, 2010 (special permission VenerandaDeLuca/J.Markoff).
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Shwe Yan Pyay pagoda. Myanmar - Burma, January 23, 2010. (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda Decoration Glass. Myanmar - Burma, January 23, 2010 (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Early start this morning - off to Samkar...a long way! ...and it is really quite cold! January 21, 2010 in Yawnghwe, Shan State, Myanmar - Burm., (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Procession of Buddhist statues close to the Golden Pagoda at Thachilek, Myanmar - Burma, February 8, 2008. (CC caspermoller, Casper Moller).
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Giant Buddha statues in the warm evening light. December 19, 2007, Bago, Myanmar - Burma. (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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Around 470 buddhist monks gather and line up daily at this monastery to eat. December 20, 2007 in Bago, Myanmar - Burma,. (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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Two giants! The reclining Buddha is 90 meters long, and the one standing is 115 meters tall. December 30, 2007 in Monywa, Sagaing, Myanmar - Burma. (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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The armies of the Two giants! December 30, 2007 in Monywa, Sagaing, Myanmar - Burma. (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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Bagan at sunrise, taken from a balloon. February 24, Myanmar - Burma, 2008 (CC a jmhullot, Jean-Marie Hullot).
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U Bein bridge - the longest teak bridge in the world, Myanmar - Burma, January 25, 2010 (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Oh dear - our buffalo do not float so good! Myanmar - Burma, January 19, 2010 (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Amarapura is one of the most magnificent place in Myanmar, no mechanisation, no cars, no noise, just people living in harmony with nature. The bridge was built by Mr Bein, King Bodawpaya's mayor, from teak planks from Inwa when the capital was moved to Amarapura. The bridge has stood for over two centuries so it's rather rickety and wobbly and there are large gaps between some of the planks. It's over 1 km long and the traffic is heavy with many children going to and from school, vendors of jade, seed necklaces and water colours, monks, women with loaded head baskets and cyclists, although these are not suposed to ride across. Myanmar - Burma, February 13, 2008 (CC jmhullot, Jean-Marie Hullot).
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ASilk on sale in Mandalay, Myanmar - Burma, October, 2001 (CC exfordy, Brian Snelson).
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The colorful handmade parasols made in Pathein are widely known throughout Myanmar. They are known locally as "Pathein Hti". Phathein, Myanmar - Burma, January 5, 2008 (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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Garlic, garlic, garlic. Mandalay, Myanmar - Burma, December 27, 2007 (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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Fishermen with his boat and fish-trap, Inle lake, Myanmar - Burma, December 24, 2007 (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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Chili peppers laid out to dry, Mandalay, Myanmar - Burma, December 23, 2007 (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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Tee stop lady, Mandalay, Myanmar - Burma, December 23, 2007 (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
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The Maha Lawka Marazein Pagoda at the center of the Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay, Myanmar - Burma, January 24, 2010 (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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School on the lake...almost makes you want to go to school here! Mandalay, Myanmar - Burma, January 18, 2010 (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Sunset. Amarapura, Myanmar - Burma, January 21, 2007 (CC Tranuf, Tom).
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Red wood. Inle lake, Myanmar - Burma, January 19, 2007 (CC Tranuf, Tom).
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Curious monk in training. Myanmar - Burma, December 29, 2008 (CC Kris_B, Christophe Brisbois).
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Monk umbrella. September 28, Myanmar - Burma, 2007 (CC hidden side, Eugenio).
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Buddhist nun. Rangoon, Myanmar - Burma, 1983 (CC Michael Foley Photography).
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Over there. Inle lake, Myanmar - Burma, March 1, 2007 (CC Tranuf, Tom).
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Old woman at a market. Inle lake, Myanmar - Burma, April 12, 2007 (CC Kris_B, Christophe Brisbois).
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Sweeping crew, The sweepers are all people who were born on this day of the week - the girls go first....the boys follow! Tamwe, Yangon, Myanmar - Burma, January 17, 2010 (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Giant Reclining Buddha of Yangon, Myanmar - Burma, January 22, 2009 (special permission VenerandaDeLuca/J.Markoff).
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Giant Reclining Buddha's feet, Yangon, Myanmar - Burma, January 22, 2009 (special permission VenerandaDeLuca/J.Markoff).
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That-byin-nyu Temple is 61 metres (201 ft) tall, the tallest in Bagan. It was built in the mid-12th century during the reign of King Alaungsithu. BaganMyanmar - Burma, January 20, 2009 (special permission VenerandaDeLuca/J.Markoff).
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The Ananda Temple was built in 1105 AD during the reign (1084–1113) of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The impressive temple has also been titled the "Westminster Abbey of Burma". Bagan, Myanmar - Burma, January 16, 2007 (special permission VenerandaDeLuca/J.Markoff).
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The Popa Taungkalat Shrine is home to 37 Mahagiri Nats, or spirits. Statues depicting the Nats are at the base of the Shrine. As you ascend the 777 steps to the summit, you will be asked to remove your socks and shoes. You will also be greeted by hungry monkeys along the way, so bring something to feed them or keep your belongings close to you, so they don't run off with your lunch! Pegu Range, Myanmar - Burma, September 7, 2007 (special permission VenerandaDeLuca/J.Markoff).
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Many, many Buddhas at U Min Thonze. You need to see this place to believe it! Incredible. Pegu Range, Myanmar - Burma, November 20, 2004 (CC antwerpenR, Roger Price).
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Sunset. A long day ends with a great feeling. Nyaungu, Mandalay, Myanmar - Burma, January 3, 2008 (CC patrikmloeff, Patrik M. Loeff).
freedassk1 Myanmar Burma, The Golden Land
Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese opposition politician. She has, however, been detained under house arrest in Myanmar for almost 14 out of the past 20 years. In 1991 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2009 (Poster photo from Burma Digest).

I Am Who I Am