Cultivating For Hajj

By Riad Mustafa

More than 20,000 Russian Muslims will go on hajj this year. MOSCOW — Russian farmer Ibrahim Mouradov can’t wait to fly for the soul-searching journey of hajj. “This is my third time to go on hajj,” the 68-year-old told IslamOnline.net on Saturday, November 7. He is preparing to go with his wife to the holy lands in Saudi Arabia for the spiritual trip. “We farm and sell our produce to collect money for hajj.” More than 20,000 Russian Muslims will go on hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, this year. The first batch of the Russian pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia on November 4. Virtual Hajj on IslamOnline.net Hajj: Types and Rulings Hajj: Getting Prepared (Folder) Russian preparations are in full swing for the soul-searching journey. “Religious authorities have begun giving lessons to the pilgrims about hajj ahead of their travel to the holy lands,” said Roshan Abassov of the Religious Board of Muslims in European part of Russia. He said the Board is also cooperating with travel agencies to provide religious guides for the pilgrims. “We are coordinating with the agencies to provide a group of religious guides to help the pilgrims perform the ritual.” Every able-bodied adult Muslim -- who can financially afford the trip -- must perform hajj once in their lifetime. Around three million pilgrims from over 160 countries are expected to perform hajj this year, which is expected to climax on November 26, when the faithful descend the Mount `Arafat. Dream Comes True The elder Muslim recalls his first time he went on the spiritual journey. “Hajj was a far-fetching dream,” Mouradov said. “I had never imagined that I would be able one day to visit this holy place as the Communists have deprived us from everything, even prayers.” Muslims suffered repression under the Soviet Union, which banned the visible practice of all religions. Under the Soviet rule, a few number of Muslims were able to get their hajj dream fulfilled. “But now the dream has come true,” said Mouradov. Islam is in a state of revival in Russia after years of suppression. There are nearly 4,000 mosques in the country. Muslim halal food and Islamic dresses have emerged in the capital Moscow, which saw earlier this month the opening of the first Muslim hospital in federal Russia. The government has also set up a $60 million fund to support Islamic culture, science and education, part of which is designated for state-accredited Muslim schools and universities. Russia has a sizable Muslim minority of around 23 million people representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million population. Islam is Russia's second-largest religion