AFTER two years of limited numbers of pilgrims able to attend due to the Covid-19 pandemic, around a million people — including from abroad — gathered in the plains of Arafat to mark the central rite of this year’s Haj on Friday. In 2020 and 2021, only a few thousand had attended, that too limited to Saudis and foreigners residing in the kingdom. Braving searing desert temperatures, pilgrims from across the world gathered in Hijaz reflecting the diversity of the Muslim world. What was also significant was that this year women were allowed to attend the pilgrimage in groups, without the presence of a mahram. While many schools of thought had always allowed women to make the sacred journey on their own, the Saudi government’s decision to drop the mahram requirement last year — as part of the crown prince’s ‘modernisation’ drive — has allowed all Muslim women to perform Haj without a male guardian. Another key aspect of Haj is the sermon at Arafat. This year, the khutba was delivered by Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Karim al-Issa, head of the Muslim World League. Along with religious issues, the sheikh touched upon the need to shun division and for “love and compassion” to “prevail in our dealings”. The Saudi scholar also urged Muslims to treat those of other faiths well, observing that the spirit of Islam “includes goodness to all humanity”.

As Muslim communities are riven by internal dissent and division, these words need to be translated into practice. Sectarianism has done untold damage to the Muslim world, particularly seen in Iraq, Yemen and Syria. We in Pakistan have also witnessed the ogre of sectarian bigotry tear through the fabric of society, particularly over the last four decades. Therefore, religious authorities must lead the way and urge their flocks to shun sectarian narratives, and respect all schools of thought. Moreover, the message to treat non-Muslims better should also be heeded, as in most Muslim-majority states the condition of minorities is far from ideal. The fundamental rights of minority citizens need to be protected, and they must be free to practise their faiths. Also, Muslims in Yemen, Palestine and held Kashmir, as well as the Rohingya, continue to face oppression and misery. Instead of simply voicing their concern, the global Muslim community needs to make a sustained effort to project the condition of these oppressed populations and bring peace to their tortured lands.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2022