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Good Morning

We are now in the season of Hajj, and well over two million Muslim pilgrims from every corner of the world will now be in a state of movement:Ìý movement towards the Plains of ‘Arafa, near Mecca.Ìý This is the moment at which ethnic, political and religious differences melt away and there is a powerful sense of the oneness of humanity.Ìý The pilgrims chant in unison:

Ìý"Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners."

A Prophetic tradition states:
Ìý
Ìý“When the Day of 'Arafa comes, God descends to the lowest heaven and praises the people there to the angels, saying, "Look at My servants who have come to Me dishevelled, dusty and crying out from every deep valley. I call you to witness that I have forgiven them." Then the angels object, saying, "But my Lord this man has done such and such a thing and also that woman" God, Who is great and glorious replies, "I have forgiven them."

A study by Harvard University found that not only does hajj increase observance of pilgrims’ religious practices but it also instills in pilgrims’ a strong sense of equality and positive attitudes towards women and their education and employment.Ìý What is also striking is that pilgrims return with a stronger belief in peace, harmony and equality between religious traditions.Ìý This is a message that is so desperately needed in a world that needs healing, reconciliation and peace.

May we all embrace and live by the message of peace, harmony and reconciliation in our lives.Ìý Ameen.