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Bitched on: Thursday, December 20, 2007
Time: 12/20/2007 12:42:00 AM
One of my cousins is in Mecca right now performing the Hajj. A Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca (and Medina, both Saudi Arabian cities) that Muslims across the whole would have to perform at least once in their lifetime (if they can afford to). Time: 12/20/2007 12:42:00 AM
I did a minor Hajj, called the Umrah, last June. A Hajj has to be performed during the sacred month of the Islamic calender, Dhu al-Hijjah, and lasts close to a month. And the Umrah is much shorter and can be performed at any time of the year.
One important thing to note about Hajj (like the umrah) is that the pilgrims performing it have to wear the ihram clothing. For all the male pilgrims, this is usually two pieces of seemless white cloths wrapped around the body; one covers the shoulder(s) and the other goes around the waist.
The reason for this uniform clothing is to remove any form of individualism so that everyone is seen as equal in the Almighty's eyes.
But is it true? Is everyone truly equal? Lemme rephrase that, could we ever be equal in our own eyes?
I am blogging now to disagree.
We can never be equal in our own myopic human eyes.
We look at the poor with such disregard and disgust, and we idolise the rich and famous. Religion becomes an excuse to hate and the colour of skin becomes a measure for beauty.
We can never escape stereotypes, sexism and racism.
Even in Islam we see today, it seems that women in some societies are still being suppressed. Did you hear about the girl who was almost sentenced to jail (she was pardoned by the Saudi Arabian royalty, fortunately) after she was raped? I am sure that her story is one of many. Or have you heard about the countless of stories of raped victims being executed or punished by their kin as a form of 'honour killing'? Utter rubbish!
Where is the equality in that?
I was watching the documentary on Hajj the other day and they mentioned how pilgrims from African countries were being treated unfairly as second-class citizens (or even as second-class humans...) by those from Arabic nations. There were reports of how these Africans were denied seats on buses or made to receive food last etc. etc..
Which reminded me of the story my Mum and my female cousins shared when they felt they were marginalised along with other "Melayus" (what the Arabs called us) while they were waiting for their turn to visit the Prophet's tomb in Medina. The "Melayu" group had to wait while other Arab-looking female worshippers were given instant access to view the tomb. In the end, my Mum and the rest of the "Melayus" were still denied entry.
Where is the equality in that?
Millions of pilgrims from all over the world would be staying in camps during most of their stay there. Of course, the richer ones would be accommodating in more luxurious tents complete with their own washrooms and the poorer ones would be staying on the far outskirts of the camp with shared latrines.
We are never equal in each other's eyes, we can never be. Instead of just preaching, we should put it into practice.
Equality is a must. Everyone has a right.
Sometimes I envy the West. Though I admit it is never 100% free of discrimination... at least it is generally seen and understood as being wrong there. Whereas in the extremism that has become Islam today (well... in some backward societies), discrimination is not being condemned at all.
The West (especially the States), has definitely come a long way.
Now, they are close to having an African-American President. Or even a female President. Could have been both if Oprah Winfrey had run for presidency (lol).
Just the thought of either one possibilities becoming true is so mind-boggling. Just imagine a century ago, when the African-Americans were still shackled in the chains of slavery. Now, one of the descendants could become the leader of the 'Free World'.
Sigh, the Islam civilisation definitely has a long way to go.
Oh, Selamat Hari Raya Haji, by the way.
Eid ul-Adha Greetings.
Labels: Islam
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