Radio Islam International | 28 Dhul Qa’dah 1437/01 September 2016

How Muslim TV in Malaysia is covering the Haj

AlHIJRAH’S popular programme Labbaikallah returns for its sixth year, providing a more comprehensive coverage of the haj season. The 17-episode series promises a more interactive content for its viewers. TV AlHijrah chief executive officer, Izelan Basar, says its improvised content is divided into a few segments. Host Ustaz Don Daniyal Don Biyajid will be discussing spiritual topics related to the haj with special guests from various backgrounds — celebrities, athletes, experts and an international personality, making it all more relatable not only to viewers who plan to perform the haj, but also those who have already experienced the spiritual journey.

Some of the topics are Tetamu Allah, Pada Mu Aku Datang, Lembaran Kiswah, Memori Kapal Haji and Backpackers Tanah Haram.

Among the special guests on the show are South African singer-songwriter Zain Bhika, Malaysian veteran motorcycle club prix rider Wazi Abdul Hamid, and Wilayah Persekutuan Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri.

Fans of Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor (Neelofa) will also be delighted to know that she will be regularly featured in a segment in the 17-episode show. Her first haj pilgrimage with her parents will be documented for Labbaikallah. The family is set to leave on Sept 5 and returns on Sept 20.

To make it more interactive with the viewers, Labbaikallah will be showcasing a segment where members of the public can share their experience of the haj. On July 28, the Islamic TV station sent five of its media representatives to Mecca and Madinah to kick start the production for the show. The production crew has since reported live on location for Berita AlHijrah via telephone calls, Facebook updates and Skype video calls.

The five AlHijrah production crew are Ainur Mahdiyah Zahra (head of media operations) Syafinaz Yunus (broadcast journalist), Amizan Amanir (technical producer), Muhammad Farid Affy (visual editor), and Fauzi Salam (cameraman).

Performing the haj is obligatory for all able-bodied Muslims, at least once in their lifetime. One of the five pillars of Islam, alongside Salah, Zakat, Shahadah and Fasting, not everyone is blessed with the opportunity to step foot on the holy land. “Those who have not had the chance to embark on the journey to perform haj can gain some spiritual knowledge via the show,” says Izelan. As in previous years, viewers will be able to listen to the live Arafah Khutbah. “It’s inspiring to see more than four million haj pilgrims from 150 countries around the world congregate in one place.

Another exciting content for this year is the watch-and-win trivia segment, where viewers stand a chance to win attractive prizes, by answering simple questions correctly,” says Izelan.

Audiences at home will have to watch all 17 episodes to obtain the questions as they will be presented at the end of every episode. They will then have to submit the answers collectively after the final episode is aired, to www.tvalhijrah.com/labbaikallah The first prize winner will receive a brand new Proton Saga, while three Modenas Motorcycle await second prize winners. Third prize winners will win six umrah packages from Omega Travel, respectively. “Incorporating the trivia segment into the show is a way to attract youths. We want them to learn and increase their general knowledge on the spiritual topics,” says Izelan. Labbaikallah airs live every day at 9pm until Sept 14

Who is Nigeria’s Amir Ul Hajj

Nigeria’s Amir Ul Hajj, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar assured Nigerian pilgrims currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and those that are yet to arrive in the Holy Land of adequate welfare while on spiritual hajj exercise.

Abubakar, who is also the Etsu Nupe and a respected tradition ruler in Nigeria, gave the assurance on his arrival at the Prince Muhammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Medina.

Pakistani Hajj Director asks Hujaaj to follow Jamarat pelting schedule

Director Hajj Syed Imtiaz Hussain has asked Pakistani pilgrims to strictly follow the Rummi schedule issued by the Saudi Government.

Talking to Radio Pakistan correspondent Muhammad Akram Khan in Makkah on Thursday, he said the step has been taken in view of unfortunate incident in Mina last year.

The Director said 122 master trainers, including 33 women, have arrived from Pakistan to train Hajj Group Organizers and pilgrims about observing discipline and Jamarat schedule. He said Pakistani students studying at Umm Al-Qura University and volunteers of Mustafavi Group have also been engaged to train pilgrims how to perform stoning at devil, according to the schedule. He said training is a regular feature of Pakistan Hajj Mission to guide pilgrims about Hajj rituals and procedure.

Syed Imtiaz Hussain said that there are 23 maktibs of Pakistani pilgrims and ten volunteers have been deployed to each maktib to ensure implementation of Rummi timings.   He said private Hajj organizers are advised to arrange training for the pilgrims coming through them.

To a question, he said every step is being taken to protect lives of the pilgrims and Ambassador of Pakistan, Director General Hajj and other staff of the Pakistan Hajj Mission will remain present at Mina to attend any complaint.

Types of Complaints lodged by Pakistani Hujaaj

Hajj Complaint Cell established in Saudi Arabia by Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has so far registered 1,128 luggage loss complaints of Pakistani intending pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

According to official sources, as many as 836 complaints have been addressed by handing over the lost luggage to the pilgrims. Relevant staff is vigorously trying to address remaining 292 complaints.

Moreover, the complaint cell has received 30 complaints of the supply of inferior quality food.

Complaints were also received regarding dislocation of 334 Pakistani intending pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, of which, 330 have already been located and sent back to their groups. The search for remaining four was continue.

He said fifteen Pakistani intending pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia, while 855 were treated in Saudi hospitals including 441 who are admitted and 414 others who were given medical facility.

Over 120,000 intending pilgrims including over 65,000 pilgrims of Government Scheme and around 55,000 private hajj scheme pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia.

CAIR offers ‘Know Your Rights as a Hajj Traveler’ webinar

On Wednesday, August 31, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) offered a “Know Your Rights as a Hajj Traveler” community training webinar for those taking part in the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The training provided information on airport security agencies, screening, body scanners, your rights at customs and US entry points, the terrorist screening database, no-fly and selectee lists, the complaints process, and more. Common scenarios were discussed.

Trainers included CAIR-OK Civil Rights Director Veronica Laizure and CAIR National Staff Attorney Maha Sayed.

CAIR also offers an informational pocket guide, “Your Rights and Responsibilities as an American Muslim,” which states in part:

“As an airline passenger, you are entitled to courteous, respectful and non-stigmatizing treatment by airline and security personnel. It is illegal for law enforcement officials to perform any stops, searches, detentions, or removals based solely on your race, religion, national origin, sex, or ethnicity.”

Other CAIR Hajj-specific travel recommendations for Muslim travelers include:

* Check any baggage containing Zamzam water bottles that you bring back to the U.S. Airlines will NOT allow you to carry liquids in large quantities on the plane, so be sure to check Zamzam and other liquids. (Zamzam water is drawn from a well within the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and has religious significance for Muslims.)

* If you are bringing back dates, make sure they are processed and sufficiently dry. You may consider vacuum sealing your dates to ensure freshness and to minimize the likelihood of contamination.

* When packing, ensure that your shoes are cleansed of any soil. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has strict rules regarding entry of soil and chemicals into the country.

* If you are bringing back items worth more than $800 per person, declare them using the CBP Declaration Form made available by airline staff when landing. If you do not declare items worth more than $800, CBP may confiscate them

Nigerian pilgrims get Arabic classes

All pilgrims from Lagos state have settled down in Mecca after they performed all rites of umrah, the lesser Hajj in preparations for the Hajj proper.

The pilgrims who are accommodated at different houses will also take part in Arabic classes before the main Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on the essence of the Arabic classes, Lagos Amirul Hajj and the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdulhakeem Abdullateef explained that the programme is aimed at increasing pilgrims knowledge of Islam.

“Islam is based on knowledge and Arabic language is the lingual franca. The programme is designed to inculcate in the pilgrims basic knowledge of Islam through the teaching of Arabic”

He said, “we have started our daily lectures at our respective hotels. Islamic Scholars engage the pilgrims in soul inspiring lectures between Solaatul Zuhr and Asr as well as between Solaatul Magrib and Ishai. The pilgrims are maximally engaged to reap the fruits of staying in the holy land”

Pilgrims all over the world will be engaging in prayers, supplications and visitation to the ancient house(Ka’aba), to seek Allah’s forgiveness and intervention on their respective activities as well as other historical sites until the eight of Dhul-Hijjah when the Hajj exercise begins.