São Paulo – The call by God to prophet Abraham so that he would leave his wife, Hajar, and newly-born son, Ishmael, between two mountains in the desert was the religious story that gave birth to the pilgrimage made each year by thousands of Muslims world over. Hajj, a trip to Mecca that all able faithful for whom it is financially viable should take at least once in their lifetimes, is one of the five pillars of Islam and is the theme of exhibition Hajj– O caminho da fé (Hajj – the route of faith), to take place up to November 8th at Brazil Mosque, in São Paulo.
The exhibition shows 88 photographs and 11 explanatory panels about the rituals that involve the promotion of Hajj. Visitors, for example, learn that pilgrimage is not exclusively to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, but crosses neighbouring cities, like Mina and Muzdalifa. The exhibition shows the custom of pelting the pillars called Jamaras. The act revives the second moment in which prophet Abraham throws stones at the Devil, who tried to stop him from sacrificing his son Ishmael, at the request of God.
“Hajj starts at mount Arafat, the mount of mercy. There, the pilgrims stay from sunrise to sunset. Then, they go to Muzdalifa and Mina, where stones are thrown in three places. Hajj was established in Mecca, with the seven turns around the Ka’aba,” said Alli Ahmad Majdoub, translator and spokesperson for Brazil Mosque for religious affairs.
The pictures of the exhibition show that, at specific times in Hajj, pilgrims wear the Ihram, a white cloth with no stitching, marking the consecration of the faithful and the moment of their engagement with Hajj. Pilgrimage also includes rituals like the slaughter of animals and the cutting of men’s hair.
The seven turns around the Ka’aba, the famous black stone within Alharan mosque, represents the moment in which Hajar goes around Safa and Marwa hills, on her return to Ishmael, she finds water leaking out of under her son’s feet, in the middle of the desert in which they were left.
“Hajj, as it is the last pillar of Islam and is voluntary, grants the Muslims who do it a feeling of complete fulfilment in their adoration. They feel they have completed the commandments of God,” explains Majdoub. “On going to Hajj, all the little sins are eliminated. It is a renewal showing that they will continue trying not to err and not to sin again,” he said.
Majdoub also says that Hajj reminds people of topics like equality, justice and last judgement. “People remain in total peace. They cannot fight or get angry,” he said.
The Islamic countries have a quota of pilgrims allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia during Hajj. In Brazil, as the volume of Muslims is much smaller than in these countries, there is no established quota. According to Majdoub, each year around four Brazilian delegations go, with around 400 people.
Hajj takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar each year, in the so-called Du Alhija. In the Gregorian calendar, which goes from January to December, the month of pilgrimage varies from one year to the next. In 2013, Hajj should take place in late October.
Pictures in exhibitions show some Brazilian flags, marking the presence of domestic pilgrims during Hajj. The 88 images were selected among 250 sent by pilgrims and also by professional photographers.
Visitation to the fair is open to the public in general and the mosque also receives school groups.
Service
Hajj – O caminho da fé (Hajj – the route of faith)
Up to November 8th
Site: Brazil Mosque
Address: Rua Barão de Jaguará, 632 – Cambuci
Admittance: Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, on Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Group visits should be scheduled by telephone: (+55 11) 3208-6789 or by e-mail: secretaria@mesquitabrasil.com.br
Admittance is free
*Translated by Mark Ament
