CRIMEAN PILGRIMS BACK FROM HAJJ

Simferopol, Crimea, 21 Dzulhijjah 1435 H/15 October 2014 M (MINA) – Upon completing the hajj pilgrimage that marked the beginning of Kurban Bayram (the Muslim feast of sacrifice), Crimean pilgrims returned home Oct 13, welcomed by their families and relatives.

Crimeans shared their feeling saying it was pity to leave the holy places, as for majority of Crimean pilgrims it was the first time they visited Mecca, Crimean News Agency quoted by Miraj Islamic News Agency as reporting.

“Praise be to Allah. Thanks to His help, I had I chance to step on the holy land, the land which prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stepped on. We have successfully come back to our Motherland, now we want peace on our land, health to our children and people. And of course, I wish every Muslim to perform Hajj”- a 78-year old Taif Zulkefir noted.

After their arrival to Simferopol airport, the pilgrims held a meeting with Crimean head Sergey Aksyonov. The meeting was also attended by Crimean Mufti Emirali Ablaev, deputy head of Crimea Ruslan Balbek and head of State Committee on Interethnic Relations and Issues of Formerly Deported Citizens Zaur Smirnov.

To recall, the trip was organized by Hajj-mission of Russia, Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea and the Crimean State Committee on Interethnic Affairs and Deported Citizens.

The quotas for Crimean Muslims were given by Council of Muftis of Russia and cost $2,500.

The Hajj is performed in and around Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Every healthy Muslim with financial means is obliged to perform Hajj at least once, as the religious duty is one of the five pillars of the Islam.  (T/P003/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)