May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand the blessings of Muslim unity, sacrifice and patience as the outcome of Hajj and Eid.

Saudi government will not allow adults over 65 and children under 12 this year to come for Hajj. Furthermore, all the pilgrims will have to show proof they’ve received flu shots at home. These conditions came after consultations with top international experts in the field,No one will be able to get a visa without fulfilling these new rules.

About three million people every year to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to perform Hajj. Saudi Arabia has taken steps to allay fears that the mass gathering could speed the spread of swine flu.

The pilgrims left Makkah on Saturday after completing the first ritual of the hajj by circling the sacred Kaaba seven times inside the Grand Mosque. Dressed in white, pilgrims piled into and on top of buses on their way to a ritual of prayer and reflection at a tent city in Mina.

I know there are two eids in North America even this year as some are following Saudi Arabia and rest are following local moon sighting. It is sad that we Muslims can not unite on this simple and basic issue let alone other major issues faced by Muslim Ummah. 

Hajj Mubarak to all as well who were the lucky ones this year.

 Take care and enjoy these happy momonts and dont forget to remember those who are less fortunate.

• It is the largest annual convention of faith, where Muslims meet to know one another, study their common affairs and promote their general welfare.

• It is also the greatest regular peace conference known in the history of mankind. In the course of Hajj, peace is the dominant theme. It is peace with God, with one’s soul and with one another. It is even peace with animals, birds and insects. To disturb the peace of anyone or any creature, in any way or form, is strictly prohibited.

• It is a wholesome demonstration of the universality of Islam, where brotherhood and equality of Muslims are fulfilled. Muslims dress in the same simple way, observe the same regulations and utter the same supplications at the same time, in the same way, for the very same end. There is no royalty, but loyalty – of all – to Allah. There is no aristocracy, but humility and devotion.

• It is also to commemorate the divine rituals, observed by Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them), whom are known to have built the Ka`bah for the practicing of monotheism and worshiping of Allah – the One and Only – on earth.

Worth mentioning also is that Hajj is, in many ways, the central event of the year, perhaps of a whole lifetime. It is the act in which the unity of Muslims is most fully expressed. This is in the sense that it is an example of all kinds of travel. It is also a market for exchanging news and ideas, brought from all over the Muslim world. Last, but not least, it symbolizes the unity of so many hearts seeking the pleasure of Allah.