Computerized National Identity Card issued by NADRA was a prerequisite for getting passport. Intending pilgrims have been further advised to review the expiry date of their CNIC and get it renewed before applying for MRP

Observing a ritual and being part of it are two completely distinct experiences. Although we might be able to speculate, analyse and interpret the meaning of rituals, we cannot grasp their significance to believers unless we experience them ourselves. And a museum is hardly an ideal setting for understanding a grand, cultural and religious phenomenon such as the Hajj.

By their very nature, museums set things apart and create a glaring detachment between the observer and the observed. Walking about an exhibition of ancient Egyptian artefacts, for example, inspires awe and wonderment rather than understanding, hardly granting an insight into the ancient civilisation on show. I’ve always felt that placing an object in a museum says more about the object’s significance to our own society, rather than the society which produced it.

Given that an exhibition of a religious ritual seemed so counter intuitive, I was pleasantly surprised by the innovative way in which the British Museum presented it. Venetia porter, the curator, explained that the exhibition was arranged according to three themes; the pilgrim’s journey to Mecca, the pilgrim’s stay in the holy city, and the return home. Arranging items this way meant that each section of the exhibition was a true mishmash of the medieval and modern.

While this might sound awkward, I couldn’t think of a better way to showcase the Hajj. The Journey to Mecca and back in itself is part of the religious experience. The influence of this aspect of the Hajj cannot be stressed enough. For example, it is because of the Hajj that very soon after the rise of Islam, travel writings developed into such a great literary genre in the Muslim world. The exhibition effectively highlights this. We are often presented with an image of religious rituals as performances which remain overly convoluted and stagnant, never evolving with time.

The exhibition therefore, makes an important point: while the rituals and obligations of the Hajj remain unchanged since the Medieval period, the ways in which pilgrims experience this journey has changed dramatically. From Medieval compasses to colonial prayer guides and to present day road signs and airplanes, the Hajj has never ceased to evolve. The viewer grasps a sense of the Hajj as a dynamic phenomenon and not something rigid which belongs in history. In fact I only ever seem to hear about the Hajj from the popular media when a stampede takes place and tragedy is involved.

This layout of the exhibition was accompanied by an impressive use of sound which helped make the experience that much more intimate. Prior to entering the space, as you walk through a narrow corridor, the chanting of the Talbiyya is heard, this is part of the prayer which Muslims recite before setting out for the Hajj journey. Within the exhibition itself the Azhan (Muslim call to prayer) can be heard faintly in the distance. And finally, just before leaving the exhibition, there is a quiet little corner in place for people to sit and listen to British Muslims’ accounts of their own Hajj experiences. This clever use of sound which mirrors the journey and return from Mecca helps museum-goers understand the experience a little more.

The link between Britain and the Hajj is not only explored by these British Muslims. The exhibition is scattered with British experiences of Hajj from items which reveal how Thomas Cook was responsible for organising ships to Mecca in the colonial period, to letters written by the first ever British woman to perform the Hajj in the year 1933, Lady Evelyn Cobbold. This demonstrated just how involved Britain was with this seemingly distant and mysterious ritual.

Personal accounts such as these are found throughout the exhibition floor and yet another intriguing addition comes in the form of modern works of art such as Ahmed Mater’s ‘Magnetism’ and Idris Khan’s ‘Seven Times.’ The works highlight the ways in which the Hajj continues to influence discourse, collective imagination and creativity today.

The British Museum has also produced a fascinating publication on the Hajj. Written by some of the leading academics and writers on Islam such as Professor Hugh Kennedy, Karen Armstrong and Professor M.A.S Abdel Haleem, this publication is not to be easily dismissed. Not only does it discuss key aspects of the ritual which the exhibition may not touch on, such as the political significance of the Hajj, it also provides a reference to some of the fascinating objects on display, including Lady Cobbold’s letter to her grandson. The book and the glossy images are undoubtedly gorgeous. So, if for some incomprehensible reason you’re not interested in what the academics have to say, there’s always the aesthetics.

The world’s first exhibition on Hajj – the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca – opens this week at the British Museum.

After years of negotiations with 13 countries, rare artefacts from Islam’s holiest sites have been brought to London.

The BBC’s Almeena Ahmed has been talking to Qaisra Khan, curator of Hajj: Journey to the heart of Islam, and artist Ahmed Mater.

Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam

Neil MacGregor, Director, British Museum says: “This exhibition will enable a global audience to deepen their understanding of the significance and history of the Hajj. In particular, it will allow non-Muslims to explore the one aspect of Islamic practice and faith which they are not able to witness, but which plays such a major part in forming a worldwide Islamic consciousness.”

Extra members are invited to enjoy an evening viewing of the exhibition followed by an exhibition-inspired two course meal in the Great Court Restaurant. After dinner, the exhibition’s curator will give a talk and host a Q&A session in the restaurant. The event takes place on 3 February at 5.30pm. Tickets cost £37.

In a meeting with officials in charge of organizing Hajj pilgrimage, Ayatollah Khamenei said that Hajj pilgrimage is a great opportunity and a blessing from God, the website of the Supreme Leader said in a report.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that optimum use of the Hajj blessing would be thanksgiving to God and that the occasion must reinforce Islamic unity.

The Leader said that organizers of Hajj pilgrimage from every Muslim nation must explain the noble Islamic teachings to those thirsty for sublimity.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that Islam is a religion for every aspect of life and that the Islamic values must be applied to the politics of the Muslim nations and governments.

Leader advised organizers of Hajj pilgrimage to explain realities of Iran to pilgrims from other countries.

“Every Iranian pilgrim must be symbol of a polite individual and faithful in Islamic brotherhood respecting the discipline. This is the practical propagation of the Islamic values,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, Representative of the Leader for Hajj Affairs Hojatoleslam Qazi Askar gave a report on planning for Hajj pilgrimage and said that the Supreme Leader’s recommendations have been taken into account to upgrade cultural aspect of Hajj.

He said this year PIA was allotted an exclusive Bay for processing of its flights, which helped in the PIA Post Hajj operation to become normal on fifth day. PIA lifted back about 110,726 Hujjaj through 273 flights to Pakistan. 96,200 Hujjaj were brought back through 266 special Hajj flights from Jeddah.

Congestion at Jeddah Airport where 80,000 to 100,000 passengers arrive at the same time for their return journey through 74 international carriers causes initial delays in departures of earlier flights. For continuous flow of information and facilitation of Hujjaj, a team of senior officials were deputed whose duty was to remain available among the passengers, electronic flight information display was installed at remote check in area where updated information about PIA was displayed. No other airline had installed such flight display monitor.

In order to ensure PIA visibility, all PIA employees working at hajj terminal are wearing fluorescent jackets with marking of ‘PIA HAJJ DUTY’.

Hujjaj were guided right from bus arrival area to the boarding area by a group of senior PIA representatives. PIA scouts equipped with loud speakers made important announcements for passengers’ convenience. A special team was dedicated for filling 100 percent immigration cards in order to facilitate Hujjaj through immigration process.

PIA also used metal detectors to pre-screen Hujjaj before the GID security check in order to prevent Hujjaj from unnecessary hassle and delays at GID security counters.

In this Intelligence Report: The travel agent says he is a victim too.

The I-Team first exposed this about a month ago: Hundreds of Muslims, who had paid thousands of dollars each to go on a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca, were left stranded by Rashid Faridi, a Chicago travel agent who had failed to deliver the Saudi Arabian visas that were necessary for their trip.

Millions of Muslim devotees have returned from their November Hajj. But some never left in the first place. They blame North Side travel agency VIP Travel Services that advertised Hajj trips and proclaimed being “a company you can trust.”

But Rukhsana Imtiaz, of Brownstown, Michigan, is among several hundred Muslims who paid $4,000 each and are now out that money and they say out of trust.

“Going for Hajj is a lifetime decision,” said Imtiaz. “We searched the Internet and we found this website, and everything was very promising, very nice, so we just went ahead and booked our package through this agent.”

After trying to explain what happened to jilted Hajj travelers — that their visas were never obtained — Chicago travel agent Faridi went to Saudi Arabia trying to get refunds for his customers.

But, in an e-mail obtained by the I-Team, Faridi has informed the marooned Muslims that he was unable to obtain the money they paid for flights, hotels, and other travel costs totaling almost $1.8 million. And, because he can’t, Faridi told travelers: “no cash refund is available.” He is offering to bring them to Mecca next year, but it is unclear how that would be financed.

“I think he was in over his head,” Imtiaz said.

A former VIP travel employee told the I-Team that Faridi didn’t intend to cheat anyone, but he promised more Saudi visas then he could get. Now, those out money say they have filed complaints with state officials, local police and the FBI.

Jilted travelers also have hired an Oak Brook law firm to look at civil action against the travel agency that apparently tried to buy visas on the black market and failed. Underground, they go for up to $2,000 apiece, even though that is illegal and Saudi Arabian diplomats say they provide the visas for free to Muslims making their Hajj visits through a dozen accredited travel agencies in the United States.