GENERAL INFORMATION FOR INDIAN HAJ PILGRIMS
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(a) Know about Wudu (ablution), daily prayers, Friday prayers and funeral
prayers.
(b) Know about concept of Ihram and how to put on the Ihram clothes
(men and women).
(c) Get to know the full procedure of Umrah.
(d) Get to know about the full procedure of Haj and the details
of Haj.
[If you have any doubt on of the above, ask your companions or ask
some learned person or get guidance from a reputed book]
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If you are encashing your bank draft at the airport you should count
your money carefully. Do not get the help of unauthorized persons. Bankers
and staff members are there to help and guide you.
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Acquaint yourself about using the European style commodes in the toilets.
Know how to keep the toilets clean and how to wash properly.
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Guard against pick-pocket and theft, especially of money and important
documents. Do not carry large amounts of money in crowded places and during
Tawaaf or Sai.
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Mark all your baggage and luggage so that others call also identify
them. While travelling, please ensure that Your luggage is loaded in the
same bus as you. In case of lost baggage, contact the Consulate's Lost
and Found Store in Branch Office No. 1 in Misfalah area of Makkah.
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Always wear the metal wrist band given by Haj Committee and always carry
the card given by the Moallim.
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Carry a plastic packet for keeping your slippers/sandals in the Haram
Sharief. Keep them at a place where the cleaners will not sweep them away.
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In case you are lost you must ask the way to any of the Indian Haj Offices
('There are 9 Branch Offices and 1 Main Haj Office in Makkah and 2 Branch
Offices and 1 Main Haj Office in Madinah). From our Haj Offices you will
be guided to your houses.
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Learn how to use the air-conditioner and other equipment available in
the rooms and whenever you leave the room you must switch off the air-conditioners,
lights, fans, etc.
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Do not waste water as water is a scarce commodity and there is acute
water shortage, especially from the first of Zil Hijja.
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There are very good toilets and Wudu-Khaanas at both Haram Shariefs
and pilgrims should avail of these facilities.
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After Fard prayers in Haram Sharief wait for about one minute before
starting your other prayers because most of the time, funeral prayers (Namaaz
Janaaza) are held after Fard prayers in both Harams.
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Please stay in the room that you are allotted to and do not encroach
into another pilgrim's allotment or room.
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If there are others staying in your room apart from your own group,
you have to be accommodating towards them. Do not lock your room in such
a way that others are stranded outside.
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For cooking, use the kitchen facilities. Do not cook in rooms. Cooking
on kerosene stoves is discouraged, as these are fire hazards. Cooking in
Mina is not allowed even on gas stoves.
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Drink plenty of water and liquids to protect yourself front dehydration
and heat stroke. Also take care that you do not suffer from cold, cough
and sore throat or upset stomach. There are 9 Branch Dispensaries and 1
Main Dispensary in Makkah and 2 Branch Dispensaries and 1 Main Dispensary
in Madinah alongwith a few mobile team of doctors. They are at your service.
Please avail of these. Keep yourself fit for the 5 main days of Haj which
are very arduous and require you to be fully fit.
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If there are old, ill, infirm, and weak pilgrims in your group, you
have to take care of them. Do not abandon them and ensure that they take
proper medicines at proper times.
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Be prepared for delays that occur in transport to Makkah, Madinah, Mina,
Arafat and Muzdalifa. Be patient.
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At night, especially in Madinah and Mina you will feel cold and, therefore,
you must have sufficient warm clothings and bedding to protect yourself.
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Please identify your accommodation and surrounding areas very carefully
once you reach Makkah, Madinah, Arafat and Mina. This will help you in
getting your bearings and prevent you from getting lost.
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While entering the Haram Sharief in Makkah and Madinah, identify the
doors. Remember through which door you are entering and in Makkah once
you are inside the Tawaaf area you must identify the colour of the main
gates and you must know which of these coloured gates leads to the direction
of your building.
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If you have valuables and money which you do not require immediately,
you should keep them in safe custody with your Moallim and get a receipt
(Fatura) for the same.
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Do not give money for sacrifice to any person. Either you do the sacrifice
yourself or in front of you and pay the money then or you can buy the coupon
from the Islamic Development Bank. Do not get cheated by individual persons
offering cheap sacrifices.
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Do not try to become friendly with unknown persons and do not try to
establish contact with unknown persons, not even the guards of your buildings.
Spend your time in Ibaadat rather than gossip and other wastage of time.
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In case you are lost in Makkah or Madinah or Mina or Muzdalifa or Arafat
do not panic. Some one will find you or guide you to your correct destination
though it may take some time. But please do not panic. Ask for direction
to your building or camp by showing your metal wristband or Moallim's card
or ask for direction to Indian Haj Office. Remember to keep cool and do
not panic.
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Do not keep extra persons, not even relatives in your rooms or tents
as each pilgrim gets only 2.5 sq. mt of space and you never know about
the character and antecedents of unknown persons. You must meet visitor's
outside your building.
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In crowded places like areas of Tawaaf and Sayee, during boarding buses,
during pelting of Jamarat or in queues for toilets or for food, please
take care of the old, infirm, ladies and children.
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Do not allow the old, infirm, ladies and children into very crowded
places where there is likelihood of their getting injured or suffocated.
Especially during the pelting of Jamarat, great care and extreme caution
have to be exercised. It is best not to allow old, infirm and children
to go for pelting and even ladies have to be either disallowed or they
must go at a time when there is not much rush. The pelting of stones can
be done on behalf of the old, aged, infirm, children and women by others.
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Be prepared for emergencies like fire and stampede. Keep watch for signs
of trouble. Avoid stoning Jamarat at times when there is heavy rush. Be
vigilant about fire hazards. Know the exit routes from your buildings and
tents in case you have to evacuate quickly. Ensure that exit routes are
not blocked or locked. If there are fire extinguishers read the instructions
on them so that in case you need to use them you are familiar with their
operation.
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Take care that you do not purchase so many things that would render
you liable for excess baggage on your return journey. You would also have
to keep aside money for payment of excess baggage if you are carrying excess
baggage.
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Remember that the Moallim's photo card is not valid for going to Jeddah
on a visit. You are liable to be caught at the check-post and sent to jail.
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Maintain personal cleanliness and hygiene and do not litter waste or
garbage anywhere. Use the dustbins.
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Remember that you are the Guests of Allah and always keep this in mind
that your conduct during the whole Haj should be of high standard that
one associates with the guest of Allah. Be patient and considerate with
fellow pilgrims. Do not lose your temper. Have a helpful attitude. Haj
is a spiritual experience which is unique and for many pilgrims it is once
in a life time. Try to get the maximum reward from Allah by spending your
time in lbaadat and having good conduct. Be very particular specially when
you are in the state of Ihram as there are lot of precautions that you
have to observe.
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Haj is not easy. Haj entails many difficulties and hardships. You have
to be mentally prepared to bear with them and cope with them. Always have
a positive attitude. Allah says that from the time you decide to perform
Hqj you must pray to Allah to make Haj easy for you. Please keep this in
mind.
May Allah keep you in His protection and grant you the reward for Haj.
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