GUARDIANS OF THE HOLY PATH Hafiz efendija Ibrahimović from Mecca explains to Patria how Bosnian pilgrims are cared for

Prepared and interviewed for Patria by Nedžad Abdić, Radio BIR journalist

For Muslims, going on Hajj and Umrah represents one of the most important life journeys and the pinnacle of spiritual experience. Behind every safe and organized stay of Bosnian pilgrims in the holy sites is a complex system of preparation, logistics, and coordination that the Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina carries out throughout the year.

From education and seminars in the homeland, through the organization of accommodation and transport, to health and operational support in Saudi Arabia, this is a process that requires maximum dedication and constant work on the ground. Guides and coordinators who directly care for pilgrims during their stay in Mecca and Medina bear a special responsibility.

One of them is hafiz doc. dr. Maid-ef. Ibrahimović, who is staying with Bosnian pilgrims in Mecca this year. In an interview with the Patria Agency, before leaving for Arafat, he spoke about the challenges of organizing the Hajj, the work of the guide team in multi-million crowds, healthcare for pilgrims during extreme heat, but also about the emotional moments that make this job special.

Patria: Efendija Ibrahimović, the Office for Hajj and Umrah in Bosnia and Herzegovina organizes education, seminars, and technical preparations for future pilgrims months before departure. How much does this prior spiritual and organizational preparation facilitate the work of the guides when the pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia and face a completely different environment and living conditions?

Hafiz Ibrahimović: The Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH organizes seminars for guides to prepare them for the Hajj. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and therefore it is important for the guides to be maximally prepared. If you have guides who are trained and have undergone education, who clearly know how to perform the Hajj, then you are sure that you will succeed in the true sense, and believers will perform their duty without any mistakes. Also, the education of guides, which every guide going on Hajj must undergo, is of great importance. The technical preparation of pilgrims is important for familiarizing guides and pilgrims, familiarizing the group, and on the other hand, pilgrims and hajji-hanums receive quality information about the Hajj and how to prepare before the actual departure for Hajj. Through education, guides present to their pilgrims within the group the obligations that await them on the life journey of Hajj. All information is received through the group that is created as soon as the guides receive the pilgrims' names and surnames. We prefer WhatsApp groups because they work better in Saudi Arabia. Guides receive their groups three months before departure for Hajj and start communicating with the pilgrims. It is their obligation to call every pilgrim and then be in constant contact with them. Guides are the first point of contact for all questions that present any doubt.

In addition to technical preparation, spiritual preparation is also very important. Pilgrims and hajji-hanums should arm themselves with patience and be aware of the obligations that await them on God's path.

If the guide prepares the group well, then they will not have problems when they arrive in Saudi Arabia because the pilgrims will be informed about everything that awaits them on the path of performing the Hajj.

Patria: The role of a guide during Hajj is extremely complex. On the one hand, you are a religious authority who interprets the rules and guides pilgrims through the rituals, and on the other hand, an organizer who must take care of group discipline, schedules, transport, and safety. How do you practically manage to reconcile these two responsible roles amidst the huge crowds of Mecca and the holy sites?

Hafiz Ibrahimović: The role of a guide is indeed complex and very demanding, but if the guide is well-prepared in every segment, the guide will give their best during Hajj and will succeed in performing the rituals that await them with their group. If the group is well-educated and informed about the entire Hajj, then you have no problems, and everything goes smoothly. The guide is a religious authority on the one hand and interprets the rules to their pilgrims, but on the other hand, they must be a good organizer who constantly keeps their group together and always talks about the responsibility and trust they need to fulfill. They constantly remind them of the importance of arriving on time at the agreed place, warn them not to be late, and that it is not right for the whole group to suffer because of their irresponsibility.

When you have developed good cooperation within the group, then they encourage each other to be responsible and help each other in fulfilling all the obligations that lie before them during the performance of the Hajj.

Patria: Organizing Hajj requires impeccable coordination of a large number of people and services. What does the daily cooperation between guides and the management of the Office for Hajj and Umrah, medical teams, and hotel staff look like to ensure that Bosnian pilgrims have the safest and highest quality stay possible?

Hafiz Ibrahimović: A large number of people are involved in coordination, and the success of the Hajj journey depends on them. The head of the Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH, Dževad Hadžić, has created an environment within the organization where everyone strives to give their best for the Hajj to be successfully completed. Every link in the chain is important, and it must be strong and stable for everything to function flawlessly. Therefore, meetings are held every day in Mecca with all persons involved in the organization of the Hajj. These meetings are attended by the Hajj management, the chief doctor, and the guides. The past day is analyzed daily, and new tasks to be done are assigned. The management communicates with everyone involved in the organization and makes certain decisions. The Hajj management is responsible for the complete organization of the Hajj and coordinates with guides, doctors, and hotel staff. When everything is in place in all segments, then success and the safe performance of the Hajj without any omissions are unquestionable. Hajj organization has advanced in recent years, and every year the Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH strives to improve the stay in the Holy Sites.

Patria: The climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia are becoming more demanding year after year, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during this period. What specific measures do you take to protect the health of pilgrims, especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, without disrupting the pace of performing the rituals?

Hafiz Ibrahimović: The climatic conditions in Saudi Arabia are demanding, but certain measures must be taken in time so that pilgrims and hajji-hanums can perform the fifth pillar of Islam – Hajj. The management gives them certain advice recommended by the chief doctor, which they must strictly follow. These tips are as follows:

Drink water constantly – don't wait until you are thirsty. Do not go out in the sun unnecessarily. Use shade, an umbrella, and plan for daily rest. Take regular medication for blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and other illnesses.

Do not overexert yourself, rest, even though you want to pray in the Haram as much as possible and do as many good deeds as possible.

Regularly monitor your blood sugar and always carry something sweet with you. Protect your feet from blisters, and report any redness or swelling immediately and consult a doctor. Do not take antibiotics on your own. Contact the medical team for treatment. Wash and disinfect your hands and protect yourself from the air conditioning. In crowds, wear a mask if you cough, have a fever, or are chronically ill.

See a doctor immediately if you have: chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, very low or high blood sugar, or signs of heatstroke. Heatstroke is an emergency: hot skin, severe weakness, confusion, dizziness, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. You should see a doctor immediately. Do not endure symptoms and do not wait for the illness to pass on its own without taking measures.

Patria: In addition to organizing Hajj, the Office also organizes Umrah trips for believers throughout the year. Have you noticed changes in the profile of travelers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent years – especially regarding increased interest from younger generations – and how do they cope with the demanding conditions of staying in Mecca and Medina?

Hafiz Ibrahimović: The Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH organizes more than thirty Umrah trips per year, led by quality guides. The Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH offers the best conditions for going on Umrah. The Office for Hajj and Umrah fully prepares the package, which, in addition to quality guides and complete organization, also includes two meals so that the mu'tamirs are not busy looking for food, but can thus devote themselves more to worship. Umrah dates are usually fully booked two months before departure.

In recent times, a large number of believers have been going on Umrah, including the younger generation. Young people, full of energy and the desire to see the Kaaba, perform Umrah without any problems and return to their homes happy and satisfied. They make the most of their visit and go to the Haram daily. Young people generally have stronger immunity, and climate changes do not affect their health much. Thus, their going on Umrah improves their spiritual state. During Umrah, young people often help the elderly perform the rituals.

Patria: The great emotional desire to spend as much time as possible in worship often leads to physical exhaustion for pilgrims. What are the most common mistakes or situations you have to warn pilgrims about to preserve their health and strength for the key days of Hajj?

Hafiz Ibrahimović: The great emotional desire of all pilgrims and hajji-hanums often leads our pilgrims to exhaustion, but also to health deterioration. In their desire to perform as much worship as possible, pilgrims overexert themselves and try to pray all prayers in the Haram to accumulate as many good deeds as possible.

However, the Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH draws attention and advises pilgrims and hajji-hanums that they should worship, but also rest. They should distribute their strength properly by going to the Haram, but also resting in the hotel. The management advises them to go for the Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers. At these prayers, they are not exposed to the sun and heat, and at the same time, they go to the Haram. It would be good for them to sleep during the day and rest when the temperatures are high. In Saudi Arabia, the temperature reaches up to 45 degrees Celsius, and even higher.

Pilgrims and hajji-hanums have come to perform the fifth pillar of Islam, and they should prioritize that and take it into account. Of course, this does not diminish the value of visiting the Haram and going to prayers, but it is important that everything is done in moderation.

Health is very important in order to be able to perform the prescribed Hajj rituals. If you follow the advice of the Hajj management, you will perform the Hajj without any difficulties.

Patria: Hajj is an experience that leaves a strong mark on both believers and those who guide them through the entire process. When all the rituals and organizational tasks are completed, what, for you personally, represents the greatest professional and human satisfaction in working with the pilgrims of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Hafiz Ibrahimović: Hajj leaves a great mark on the souls and hearts of believers. The satisfaction of the management, guides, and medical team comes when all pilgrims and hajji-hanums perform the Hajj according to Sharia law. Performing Hajj is a great desire for believers, and therefore our effort and work, with Allah's help, provide great relief to our pilgrims. The Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH, led by Dževad Hadžić, makes great efforts for pilgrims and hajji-hanums to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina happy, satisfied, and joyful because they have fulfilled the fifth pillar of Islam.

Finally, the Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH has indeed made progress and taken another step forward in organizing the Hajj this year. This year, an application has been developed where pilgrims have everything related to performing the Hajj, and it should also be mentioned that based on their location, we know exactly where a pilgrim or hajji-hanum is in case they get lost or cannot find their way back to the hotel. Then we can easily locate them, and within a few minutes, a guide finds the pilgrim and helps them so they don't get upset or scared.

According to hafiz Ibrahimović, as well as the pilgrims, it is clear that Hajj confirms every year that behind one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world lies an extremely demanding system of organization, discipline, and responsibility.

In such an environment, guides and services of the Islamic Community of BiH have the task of being support, a pillar, and security for Bosnian pilgrims thousands of kilometers from their homeland during their most important life journey.