Brighton & Hove Muslim Forum

Day One: The 8^th Day of Thul-Hijjah:
On the eighth day of Thul-Hijjah (Yawm-e-Tarwiyah), the pilgrim put on his Ihraam after the Salaat of Zohr & Asr and head out of Makkah to Mina. He spends the rest of the day and night in Mina involved in prayer, preparing himself to set out to Arafaat.

Day Two: The 9^th Day of Thul-Hijjah:
On the nineth day of Thul-Hijjah (Yawm-e-Arafa), after praying Salaatul-Fajr in Mina, the pilgrim waits until just after sunrise, then he heads out of Mina to Plain of Arafaat which he should enter around noon. In Arafaat he Pray Zohr and Asr prayers together with one Adhaan and two Eqamahs at the commencement of Zohr time. He should then wait in Arafaat until just after sunset (approx. 10 minutes after sunset), then set out to Mash’ar or Muzdalifa (an area between Arafaat and Mina). Postpone the maghribain prayers at Arafaat to pray them together at Mash’ar with one Adhaan and two Eqamahs, then spend the rest of the night in prayer and sleep. Also one should pick up more than required(21) pebbles for throwing at the Jamaraats in Mina.

Day Three: The 10^th Day of Thul-Hijjah:
This day is known as Eidul Adha/Yawm-e-Nahr. The pilgrim should pray salaatul-Fajr in Muzdalifa, then leave Muzdalifa for Mina shortly after sunrise. And heads for Jamrah Al-Aqabah then Jamrah Al-Ula and Jamara Al-Wusta for stoning. As he throws each stone at these Jamaraats he should say Allahu Akbar. On completion of the rites of stoning he should go to the place where animals are kept and slaughter an animal (Qurbani/Sacrifice-Offering). Then proceed to Taqseer or Halaq (clipping hairs or shaving the head). After that he goes to Makkah for A’maal-e-Makkah, which comprise Tawaaf of Hajj/Tawaaf Al-Zeyaarah, its prayer (Salaat Al-Tawaaf) and Sayee. Then complete Tawaaf-Un-Nisa and its prayer and take off his Ihraam.

Day Four: The 11^th Day of Thul-Hijjah:
On this day a pilgrim have to perform the act of Ramy Jamaraats in Mina. The pebbles must be thrown on the Jamaraat in their prescribed order, i.e., beginning from the one coming first from Mina towards Makkah – called Al-Jamrah Al-Ula, then the next one to it – called Al-Jamrah Al-Wusta and lastly the nearest to Makkah – called Al-Jamrah Al-Aqabah. And the pilgrim must consciously pass the night in Mina. It is not necessary to be there the whole night.

Day Five: The 12^th Day of Thul-Hijjah:
He does as he did on the 11^th day of Thul-Hijjah.

Day Six: The 13^th Day of Thul-Hijjah:
The pebbles must be thrown on the Jamaraat in their prescribed order, i.e., beginning from the one coming first from Mina towards Makkah – called Al-Jamrah Al-Ula, then the next one to it – called Al-Jamrah Al-Wusta and lastly the nearest to Makkah – called Al-Jamrah Al-Aqabah. Then pilgrim can leave for Makkah immediately for Tawaaf-ul-Wida with its prayer.

What is the meaning and significance of the Day of Arafat?

The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah (the Month of Hajj) is called the Day of Arafat. This day is the culminating event of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The Day of Arafat falls on the 2nd day of pilgrimage rituals. At dawn of this day, nearly 2 million Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mecca to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafat. It was from this site that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.

During the entire day, from dawn until sunset, Muslim pilgrims stand in earnest supplication and devotion, praying for God’s abundant forgiveness. Tears are shed readily as those who gather make repentance and seek God’s mercy, recite words of prayer and remembrance, and gather together as equals before their Lord. Muslims around the world who are not participating in the pilgrimage often spend this day in fasting and devotion.

Eid- Ul- Adha is one of the special festivals of Muslim. Eid- Ul –Adha is also known as Bakr- Eid and festival of sacrifice. On this festival Muslims sacrifice their domestic animals like goat (Bakr- Eid), sheep, cow, camel etc. This sacrifice made by Muslims is a symbol of sacrifice made by prophet Abraham.

Eid- Ul –Adha celebrations start after the Hajj. The first day of Eid- Ul –Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Duhl -Hijja, that is the last month of the Islamic year. In some areas. Eid- Ul –Adha is celebrated for several days by Muslims.

When is Eid- Ul- Adha

Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid- Ul –Adha with lot of enthusiasm, enjoying each and every moment. On this day Muslims dress themselves in new clothes. Early in the morning prayers are recited by them to remember God and then the day beings with the breakfast of a traditional sweet dish of the particulat country.

Soon after the breakfast the animal is forfeited and then the meat of the slaughtered animal is distribute among the neighbors, friends, family and poor people. It is believed that the meat of the sacrificed animal must be distributed in three equal parts among neighbors and friends, family members and poor people.

Muslims greet each other with well wishes for the festival along with the meat of the slaughtered animal. Muslims spend time with their near and dear ones to spread love and happiness all around.

In the evening Muslims visit to the places of their near and dear ones and celebrate the festival. Delicious food and drinks are served to all those people who visit Muslim places on this festival.

To celebrate Eid- Ul –Adha in a creative way, kids can make hand made Eid- Ul –Adha greetings and present them to all their near and dear ones. For those who have no time to visit markets to buy Eid- Ul –Adha greetings and have no free time to make hand made Eid- Ul –Adha greetings, for them online Eid- Ul –Adha greetings would be the best option.

The markets also remain open and decorated on the occasion of Eid for all the Muslims to do their shoppings. Children also enjoy this festival by wearing new clothes and playing games. Eid is the festival when all the children have a real fun time as they get gifts, clothes, sweets, perks and love from all their near and dear ones. Children also make special handmade Eid Greetings for all their Friends and notice all the Eid traditions followed by their parents and are excited to follow the same when they grow up.

The MCB has written to Rt. Hon. David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, conveying its deep sadness and disappointment over the government’s decision to abstain from voting on the Goldstone Report (Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict) in the General Assembly recently.

The letter by the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, noted that the abstention reinforced “the perception of moral ambivalence, often described as double standards, toward the rights of the Palestinian people.”

The letter ends with an urge to the Foreign Secretary “to conduct an honest appraisal of the UK’s approach to the Goldstone report before it comes up for discussion in the Security Council. When it does, the vast majority of the members of the UN would be expecting our unequivocal support for its findings and recommendations. As we have done so vigorously in other instances, we should not in this instance renege on our treaty obligation “to search for persons alleged to have committed or to have ordered to be committed, such grave breaches, and shall bring such persons, regardless of their nationality, before its own courts.” (Article 146)

To all our brothers and sisters

Taqabbalallâhu minnâ wa minkum

“May Allah accept from us and you [our fasts and deeds]”.

All praise is for Allah from who’s mercy the Islam Daawah Fest ’09 Brighton event became a wonderful success.

With over 11,000 people attending and this included children of all ages, Islam Daawah Fest ’09 became the most successful event the Muslim community of Brighton and Hove has held supported by the BHMF.

The BHMF owes a BIG thanks to our vice chair, Sabri ben Ameur who worked tireless with Imam Mohammed of Al-Medina mosque on this event. They travelled up and down the south east coast over many weeks, engaging with the local Imams, Mosques and the local people.

The BHMF wishes to thank Eihab Salah, Omar Ali, Brighton and Hove Muslims group and all the volunteers for their dedication and hard work.

The BHMF also wishes to thank Kadeer Arif and Daoud Clarke, our founder members who also worked very hard to make Islam Daawah Fest ’09 will be the event people will talk about for many years.

A BIG thank you to iERA and their volunteers from the Muslim community of Brighton and Hove. iERA worked day and night to make sure the Muslims in the UK saw and heard the wonderful scholars, some of whom were seen for the first time live on UK TV.

One of the highlights of the event was when a gentleman took the Shahada and became a Muslim.

The whole of the Brighton event was broadcast Live on Iqra TV and for the first time Hundreds of thousands of people saw what Brighton is all about.

A benefit for Act Together: Iraqi and British Women’s organisation

Featuring Camilla Cancantata
Playing Solo improvisational piano music
CD’S ON SALE!

A representative from Act Together will talk about their
Work supporting women’s rights and initiatives in Iraq,
Including an exciting video project. Plus the latest
Women’s news from Iraq.

SUNDAY 1 AUGUST 2004
5.30 PM
Friends Meeting House,
Ship Street, Brighton

Tickets: £4 in advance/ £6 on the door
(No one turned away for lack of funds)
Details/bookings: Madeline 01273 739239