Hajj Tips 4

MAKE IT EASY
   Before you get off the bus, decide where you will meet if you get
       separated.
      In Makkah, choose an easy-to-find place in the Haram:
         a particular door, under a clock, by Safa or Marwa.
      In Arafat, identify a door of the mosque, a first-aid station,
         or something similar. Then if you do get lost, don’t hunt
         around for the others. Go to your meeting point and stay
         there!
   Use the buddy system: pair off. Each person in the group
      should have a partner. If this is your first Hajj, you should
      have an older person who’s seen it all before. You can lend
      your strength and benefit from the other’s experience. Stick
      together, no matter what.
   If you have children with you, assign each child one big person
      for the entire Hajj.
   Children should have identification pinned to their clothing.
   It's best to put small children on a leash or lead.
   People with medical problems (including drug allergies) should
      wear some kind of tag identifying the problem.
   Make sure are not carrying a camera, radio, cassette, or CD
      player when you go to mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
      You won't get in!

ATTITUDE CHECK
   The Hajj is different from any other event on earth. Millions of
      people from dozens of countries and speaking dozens of
      languages converge on one tiny valley and become
      intimate neighbors. There are bound to be delays,
      misunderstandings, and unsuccessful arrangements. People
      are sure to forget things, get tired and confused, and make
      mistakes.
Remember that:
· The Hajj is a once-in-lifetime obligation to Allah, Who gave you
      the health and money to perform it.
· All of the Hajjis are your brothers and sisters.
· Any cross word, any selfish act may ruin your Hajj, Allah forbid.
· Allah will reward you thousands of times over for any act of
      kindness, no matter how small.

FINALLY
   Please, please pray for all your Muslim brothers and sisters,
      especially me!
                                                    --Hayat Anne Osman
                                                      (First published in the
                                                        Saudi Gazette, March 1998)