Central program of Bosnian pilgrims held on Arafat

(Patria) - The central program of Bosnian pilgrims was held today in the tent on Arafat, with the recitation of the Quran, ilahijas, and addresses by representatives of the Islamic Community.

The program was filled with reminders of the value of the Day of Arafat and the Hajj in general, and the pilgrims, despite the high temperatures today on Arafat, enjoyed the recitation of the Quran and the opportunity to pray for forgiveness of sins on this chosen day, for themselves, their families, and their homeland.

The Director of the Education Administration of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina and this year's reisul-hudžadž, Prof. Dr. Dževad Hodžić, explained that our pilgrims today, on the Day of Arafat, together with nearly two million pilgrims from all corners of the globe and all parts of the world, are performing one of the central rites of Hajj.

– On it and in it, we witness a great message of the Quran and Islam about the common origin of humanity and the equality of all people before their Lord, who differ only in piety and good deeds. That is the first message. The second message contained in the stoning, i.e., throwing pebbles at Muzdalifah and Mina, or between Mina and Muzdalifah, represents an effort to deal with our own weaknesses and to be much better after the Hajj – said Hodžić.

The Director of the Hajj and Umrah Office, Dževad Hadžić, reminded that the organization of transferring all pilgrims from hotels to Arafat was successfully realized last night, and that today, without any logistical or technical problems, pilgrims can dedicate themselves to worship.

– All our pilgrims have auspiciously arrived at Arafat from the hotels and are accommodated in tents. They were joined by those who stayed in Mina and who moved to Arafat during the night. We had a wonderful Arafat program where we recited the Quran, ilahijas, and held several lectures, so the pilgrims spent the morning hours in a beautiful atmosphere where we talked about the messages of Arafat and the messages of Hajj, and how we should actually spend our time on Arafat, as well as the time after Hajj. These are important messages. The rest of the day, until the evening prayer, will be spent by the pilgrims individually spending this day praying for themselves, their friends, and their families – said Hadžić.

He added that after the Arafat prayer, the pilgrims will head to Muzdalifah, where they will stay until dawn, and then continue their journey to Mina and the hotels.

– I think the organization is good and high-quality, and that everything else will proceed in the best possible order – said Hadžić.

Tonight, after sunset, the Bosnian pilgrims will head to Muzdalifah, where they will perform the evening and night prayers and spend that time in worship and preparation for the next Hajj rites.

After staying at Muzdalifah and collecting pebbles, the pilgrims will set off in the early morning hours on a journey of about 12 kilometers to Mina, where they will perform the first stoning of the pillars, one of the most significant rites of Hajj.

The Arafat prayer will be recited by the reisul-hudžadž, Prof. Dr. Dževad Hodžić.