Muslims hold Hajj Awareness Day in preparation of holy holiday
Matt Whitworth
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Campus
Keynote speaker Abdel-Rahman El-Harby was the keynote speaker for Hajj Awareness Day held Wednesday night at Centennial Hall.
Harby, the director of the Jonesboro Mosque, addressed those of the audience who were not members of the Nation of Islam.
"I thank you all for coming to break the bond, and to break the prejudice to come and learn," he said.
Harby spoke extensively about Abraham of the Old Testament, who is also a prophet in the Nation of Islam. He described Abraham as a founding father and patriarch of monotheism. However, all prophets started from Abraham.
He also described the faith.
"Islam is to submit totally and peacefully to God, to mighty Allah," Harby said.
Aside from educating those who are not of the Muslim faith on the holy holiday of Hajj, Harby wanted to educate people about what Islam is.
"I'd like to shed some light for those of you who are not Muslim, and clear any misconceptions," he said.
Hajj is the pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah (Mecca). It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Nov. 18 is first day of Hajj, which is a five-day holiday. Muslims camp out and focus on God by praying and throwing stones to remind them to resist the temptation of the devil. This is called stoning the devil.
Before entering the sacred territory, Pilgrims wear garments that symbolize the universal identity of a nation that has submitted to Allah. The faithful are stripped of their symbols of status.
One of the "misconceptions" talked about was that of women's rights. Harby said that people should treat women well, and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.
He also discussed how the women of Muslim faith have the choice to dress as they please. According to Abdel, they cover themselves up so they aren't judged by their body, but rather by their mind.
"It is a choice. I ask a woman (who was not a Muslim), is it not your choice to wear a bikini? Of course it is," he said. "It is a choice woman's choice to dress as she does. To say "judge me not by my body, but by my brain.'"
Harby also mentioned love and equality and how, if the audience learned nothing else from his presentation, that this is what Islam is about:
"There is not black superiority," he said. "There is no white superiority."
A question and answer session was held after the presentation. Brochures and copies of the Quran were also handed out.
Harby, the director of the Jonesboro Mosque, addressed those of the audience who were not members of the Nation of Islam.
"I thank you all for coming to break the bond, and to break the prejudice to come and learn," he said.
Harby spoke extensively about Abraham of the Old Testament, who is also a prophet in the Nation of Islam. He described Abraham as a founding father and patriarch of monotheism. However, all prophets started from Abraham.
He also described the faith.
"Islam is to submit totally and peacefully to God, to mighty Allah," Harby said.
Aside from educating those who are not of the Muslim faith on the holy holiday of Hajj, Harby wanted to educate people about what Islam is.
"I'd like to shed some light for those of you who are not Muslim, and clear any misconceptions," he said.
Hajj is the pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah (Mecca). It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Nov. 18 is first day of Hajj, which is a five-day holiday. Muslims camp out and focus on God by praying and throwing stones to remind them to resist the temptation of the devil. This is called stoning the devil.
Before entering the sacred territory, Pilgrims wear garments that symbolize the universal identity of a nation that has submitted to Allah. The faithful are stripped of their symbols of status.
One of the "misconceptions" talked about was that of women's rights. Harby said that people should treat women well, and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.
He also discussed how the women of Muslim faith have the choice to dress as they please. According to Abdel, they cover themselves up so they aren't judged by their body, but rather by their mind.
"It is a choice. I ask a woman (who was not a Muslim), is it not your choice to wear a bikini? Of course it is," he said. "It is a choice woman's choice to dress as she does. To say "judge me not by my body, but by my brain.'"
Harby also mentioned love and equality and how, if the audience learned nothing else from his presentation, that this is what Islam is about:
"There is not black superiority," he said. "There is no white superiority."
A question and answer session was held after the presentation. Brochures and copies of the Quran were also handed out.
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J Goss
posted 12/01/09 @ 3:56 PM CST
Are you sure you mean "Nation of Islam", instead of "followers of Islam"? The Nation of Islam (NOI) is a specific religious organization, founded in 1930 and headed by Louis Farrakhan. (Continued…)
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