Shelter From The Storm

Since my conversion to Islam I've come to appreciate the sense in which the Haj is much more than simply an individual obligation. It is a collective exercise on the grandest scale - and I'm not just referring to the millions who perform the pilgrimage annually. Even those safely at home find themselves involved in terms of following the progress of the pilgrims, sometimes because they have family and friends in Makkah, more often because following proceedings is just what Muslims do. Indeed, ever since we were fortunate enough to have completed the Haj, Noi and I have paid keen attention to the proceedings, almost as a chance to relive the experience, in memory.

And this year, with Rohana & Ozman out there, our attention is at its keenest, and prayers at their most intense, considering Ozman's ill-health and the challenges posed as a result. So far, I'm pleased to say, the news has been good, and a picture of them both at Arafat today cheered me considerably. But we're also concerned at the news of the bad weather at Arafat for the pilgrims. I've seen bits of videos of the winds blowing there and it's worrying to think of how vulnerable many of those performing the Haj will be - especially poorer brothers & sisters with just makeshift tents.

It brought vividly to mind what we saw of so many poorer pilgrims making do in the open just outside Mina when we were last there. I don't like to think of such folk potentially being blown hither & thither in the storm. It's hugely humbling, by the way, to consider the real hardships they endured performing the pilgrimage in such stark contrast to our relative comfort.