Egypt extends Eni's oil and gas concession in Suez Gulf, Nile Delta to 2040    Egypt, India explore joint investments in gas, mining, petrochemicals    Egypt launches National Strategy for Rare Diseases at PHDC'25    Egyptian pound inches up against dollar in early Thursday trade    Singapore's Destiny Energy to invest $210m in Egypt to produce 100,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually    Egypt, South Africa discuss strengthening cooperation in industry, transport    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Libya, Sudan at Turkey's SETA foundation    UN warns of 'systematic atrocities,' deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan    Egypt's Al-Sisi ratifies new criminal procedures law after parliament amends it    Egypt launches 3rd World Conference on Population, Health and Human Development    Cowardly attacks will not weaken Pakistan's resolve to fight terrorism, says FM    Egypt's TMG 9-month profit jumps 70% on record SouthMed sales    Egypt adds trachoma elimination to health success track record: WHO    Egypt, Latvia sign healthcare MoU during PHDC'25    Egypt, India explore cooperation in high-tech pharmaceutical manufacturing, health investments    Egypt, Sudan, UN convene to ramp up humanitarian aid in Sudan    Egypt releases 2023 State of Environment Report    Egyptians vote in 1st stage of lower house of parliament elections    Grand Egyptian Museum welcomes over 12,000 visitors on seventh day    Sisi meets Russian security chief to discuss Gaza ceasefire, trade, nuclear projects    Egypt repatriates 36 smuggled ancient artefacts from the US    Grand Egyptian Museum attracts 18k visitors on first public opening day    'Royalty on the Nile': Grand Ball of Monte-Carlo comes to Cairo    VS-FILM Festival for Very Short Films Ignites El Sokhna    Egypt's cultural palaces authority launches nationwide arts and culture events    Egypt launches Red Sea Open to boost tourism, international profile    Qatar to activate Egypt investment package with Matrouh deal in days: Cabinet    Omar Hisham Talaat: Media partnership with 'On Sports' key to promoting Egyptian golf tourism    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Madinaty Golf Club to host 104th Egyptian Open    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Hajj season in Egypt
In Egyptian folk culture, the house of pilgrims were traditionally decorated with wall paintings and graffiti depicting Hajj themes
Ahram Online Published in Ahram Online on 03 - 10 - 2014


##
The Hajjpilgrimage to Mecca is an important obligation for Muslims. Pilgrimage is considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam (along with the testimony that God is one and Mohammad is his messenger, five prayers a day, fasting in Ramadan, and paying annual alms orzakah). According to the Quran, every Muslim who is able to travel to Mecca should try to perform the Hajj at least once in his life.
The pilgrimage occurs every year on 8-12 Dhu Al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Pilgrims and Muslims worldwide celebrate the festival of Eid Al-Adha, meaning the festival of the slaughter, during the Hajj period. The three day festival falls on 10-13 Dhu Al-Hijjah, and will be celebrated this year in Egypt from 4-6 October.
The festival commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishamel) when commanded to do so by God. Muslims believe that God intervened at the last minute, providing a sheep for Ibrahim to sacrifice instead.
Muslims around the world mark the celebration by slaughtering sheep and other. Believers are required to provide portions of the meat to the poor.
In Egypt, those who have performed Hajj are considered to have made a great achievement. In folk culture, the house of pilgrims were traditionally decorated withwall paintings and graffiti depicting Hajj themes such as Ibrahim's sacrifice, as a mark of pride showing the owner's status as a pilgrim. The paintings, created by local artists, often break social and artistic conventions.
Egyptian folk songs also deal with the Hajj, with some focusing on thestory of Ismail and Ibrahimand others telling the story of thekeswa, the cover for the holy shrine in Mecca known as the Kaaba. The keswa used to be made in Egypt and transported all the way from Cairo to Mecca by camel, in a lavish parade.
Ahram Online wishes all its readers a Happy Eid.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/112287.aspx

Clic here to read the story from its source.