Muslim community celebrates hajj

Muslim community celebrates hajj, follows rituals of Eid-al-Adha

By Mona Shadia, Daily Bulletin, January 4, 2007


When seen from above, it's like an ocean of pilgrimage: nearly 2.5 million Muslims in white clothing, standing side by side and chanting, "I'm here, God, at your service."

On Saturday, Muslims gathered at the Corona-Norco Islamic Society ISCN to pray and celebrate Eid-al-Adha. Children were following in their elder's foot steps, running toward the mosque wearing colorful new clothing. Muslims sang, prayed and greeted one another and wished each other a blessed holiday and a blessed year.

"Hajj is a remembrance of the prophet Abraham and his family's commitment to God," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director for the Southern California's Council on American Islamic Relations. "Every ritual of hajj is a remembrance to the dedication and strong faith and everything he went through."

Hajj is the last of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are called on to perform hajj once in their lifetime if physically and financially capable.

And Muslims here at home and around the world join the pilgrims in Mecca by celebrating following the hajj.

"It feels good to be around the Muslims and it's a special event for us," said Suhale Sikander of Corona.

His 7-year-old son, Zayn, smiled while holding his hand and said, "I was praying."

For many, the celebration is a way to get together and to represent Muslims and Islam, said Asma Mansoor of Corona.

For Muslims, the prophet Abraham is considered to be the father of Islam and the father of all prophets. His life and legend are remembered through the demonstration of hajj every year in Saudi Arabia, Ayloush said....