Hajj, A Journey of a Lifetime: An Insiders Look
#121
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: LGW.
Programs: Cunard WorldClub-Gold,Silverseas Venetian society,Alitalia Mille miglia,SPG,Fairmont,IHG.
Posts: 733
A really interesting TR, thanks. (I was reading a book about crowd behaviour the other day,and it mentioned the crush at the Hajj, so I made a mental note to read up about the Hajj-and you've just made it easy for me!)
#122
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Illinois
Programs: UAMP Premier Platinum, HHonors Diamond VIP, Marriott Gold
Posts: 21
Masha-Allah phenomenal report! My wife and I have made Umrah many times and we are planning Hajj for 2016. Thanks for the hard work and excellent reporting!!
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
Hajji isaifan... than you for an interesting report. It was more than just a trip report. I did a bit more reading on wikki and other sites about Hajj. Truly amazing.
#126
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Emirates Skywards, Mileage Plus, OneWorld, Qatar Airways Privilage Club
Posts: 301
Mashallah an amazing TR on one of the most important journeys of a Muslim person's life. May Allah accept your Hajj and give everyone an opportunity to experience this. Love the pics and Inshallah hope to be able to go on Hajj soon!!
#128
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 223
Excellent reading, I've always wanted to learn more about the rituals and never knew you had to stay in tent accommodation etc. Your report really shows how much thinking and reflecting you were doing throughout the rituals, and how hard you and others worked to prepare mentally and physically. Thanks for sharing your experience and all the best for your future.
#129
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,729
It is an awesome experience, haven't done it myself, but from people who have, I've been told it is a life changing one.
And am very impressed by fellow posters comments, none of the hate spewing that normally goes on. (apologies mods).
Anyway you and your wife were in here: (can you find yourselves )
And am very impressed by fellow posters comments, none of the hate spewing that normally goes on. (apologies mods).
Anyway you and your wife were in here: (can you find yourselves )
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,729
Isaifan
Thank you for an excellent report. You did a great job trying to describe the atmosphere of those few days where millions of people gather to accomplish a spiritual trip.
Less and less each year people dying from incidents during the Hajj.
Again thank you.حج مبروك وذنب مغفور تقبل الله منكم ومنا صالح الأعمال
The above writing in Arabic is the usual wishes to whoever accomplish the Hajj ritual wishing them that God accept there Hajj and forgive there sins.
Thank you for an excellent report. You did a great job trying to describe the atmosphere of those few days where millions of people gather to accomplish a spiritual trip.
Less and less each year people dying from incidents during the Hajj.
Again thank you.حج مبروك وذنب مغفور تقبل الله منكم ومنا صالح الأعمال
The above writing in Arabic is the usual wishes to whoever accomplish the Hajj ritual wishing them that God accept there Hajj and forgive there sins.
Many older people do the Hajj to die there, so maybe this is were the death numbers are high. And death from cholera and other diseases.
And as you the logistics of housing/processing/feeding/moving over 3 million people during the hajj is a nightmare. Especially when you have many who can't understand and need translators.
And the toll on all the infrastructure, basic ones, such as water, sewage, electricity etc etc. It must be a nightmare to manage.
[B]saifan[/B Good TR, photos are appreciated. However your opening line is somewhat misleading.....it transmits that Hajj is the most important journey for ALL. Every religion has it's Most Important Must Visit at least Once locations, be it, Christians, Jews! Hindus, Budhhists etc.
I think the OP meant that it was a lifetime (2 lifetime) experiences for HIM. I don't think he was devaluing any other religion's experiences. He was talking from HIS view point. And it seems to me that it was a journey of a lifetime for him and his wife.
Last edited by Yahillwe; Oct 30, 2014 at 5:34 am
#131
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 261
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,729
Sorry OP for hijacking your thread, but came across this article and thought of sharing:
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/08/wo...rticle_sidebar
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/08/wo...rticle_sidebar
#135
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saigon/Hanoi/San Francisco
Posts: 1,779
Thank you for your fascinating TR. It feels surreal.
Sorry, if this question has been asked. How would the pilgrims from poor 3rd world countries be able to pay for their Hajj? Is it subsidized by the Saudi Gov't?
Sorry, if this question has been asked. How would the pilgrims from poor 3rd world countries be able to pay for their Hajj? Is it subsidized by the Saudi Gov't?