My Final Pillar

Blog Post #1

December 23, 2007

Hello, my name is Amaya Hamad. I am 25 years old and I work as an artist. I live in Doha, Qatar with my family. I help support my family by painting beautiful artwork. My job requires a lot of time spent working on my art but I still always have time for prayer. I have a very religious Sunni Muslim family. We are deeply devoted to God.

Today, it is December 23, 2007 and I plan on traveling the Hajj on the 25th. I am traveling on that date because according to the Muslim calendar, December is the last month this year. It is recommended to travel the Hajj during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and it is the duty of every Muslim to go on the Hajj at least once in their life time to follow the footsteps of Muhammad. It requires me to travel to Makkah, a holy city. It has been my lifelong ambition to travel the Hajj and I’m so excited! My older siblings have already taken the trip and said it was a very fulfilling experience. I want to do this to show my devotion to Allah and to my religion.

My plan is to take a plane from Qatar to Mina. In Mina, I will pray the Dhuhr, Asr, Magrib, Isha, and Fajr. These are all holy prayers for Islam that are required on this trip. When the sun rises, I will travel to Arafah and pray the Dhuhr and Asr. Then, I’ll stay in Namira Mosque until sunset. At the next sunset, I will go to Muzdalifah to pray Magrib, Isha, and Fajr. I’ll go from Muzdalifah to Mina. When I get there I will throw seven pebbles at Jamrah Al-Aqaba which is the closest monument to Makkah. The monument resembles Satan. I will slaughter the sacrificial animal, eat some of it, and give some to the poor. Then, since I am a woman, I have to clip my hair the length of a finger tip. I will come out of Ihram. I go to Makkah finally and perform Tawaf Al-lfadha and Sa'yi. After I have done that, I will return to Mina to spend the nights of the eleventh and twelfth days there. I will stone the three Jamrah in the afternoon of both the eleventh and twelfth days. I will start with the first Jamrah, which is furthest from Makkah, then the middle one, and lastly Jamrah Al-Aqaba, each with seven stones again. When I arrive in Makkah, I am supposed to circle the Kaaba. I will be doing these prayers and rituals with millions of other Muslims so I am a little nervous. When I travel the Hajj, I also plan on visiting Medina. Medina is a holy site where the Prophet lived. I have spoken with a travel agent that specifically helps people planning on traveling the Hajj.

I have already booked a flight there and back at an airport in Jeddah. Jeddah is the most common airport for travelers of the Hajj to use. Also I have a bus that will be taking me to Makkah and Medina. Wish me luck!

Here is a picture of me, Amaya Hamad.



This is the route that I have planned to travel.




This is a picture of the Namira Mosque I will be at in Arafat.



Here is a picture of Makkah. It is such a beautiful place!



This the Kaaba. It located around the center of Makkah. As you can see, Muslims circle it and touch it.

Here is a picture of where I will be visiting in Medina. This is the mosque of the Prophet.

-Natalie M

Period 9