Islam: Festivals, fasts, pilgrimage and historic places

Topics

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Sample objectives

What this unit covers

• The importance of going on Hajj: The significance of undertaking Hajj, including the spiritual and physical aims of the pilgrimage, as well as the spiritual and physical difficulties and impacts experienced by the pilgrims during their journey.
• P erformance of Hajj: the meaning and importance of places, actions and stages in the Hajj: Understand the significance and meaning of the various locations, actions, and stages involved in the Hajj pilgrimage, including: (a) the act of wearing ihram, (b) the city of Makkah and the Kaʿbah, along with the rituals of tawaf and saʿy, (c) the hills of Safa and Marwa, (d) the Zamzam well, (e) Muzdalifah, (f) Mina and the stoning of the pillars, (g) ʿArafat and the standing on the plain, and (h) the Mount of Mercy.
• ʿUmrah: Discuss the similarities and differences between Hajj and ʿUmrah.
• Makkah and Madinah as places of historic importance for Muslims.: Makkah and Madinah are significant historical sites for Muslims. (a) Makkah: the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the site of early Muslim persecution, and the location of the hijrah. (b) Madinah: the destination of the hijrah, where the first Muslim community was formed, the site of the first mosque, and where Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) passed away.