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"A German-speaking booklet has been issued… about hajj rituals to be understood by Austrian pilgrims from the different backgrounds," said Zaidan |
VIENNA — The German language is unifying the Austrian pilgrims traveling for the soul-searching journey of hajj this year despite their different ethnic backgrounds.
"A German-speaking booklet has been issued by the Islamic educational institute about hajj rituals to be understood by Austrian pilgrims from the different backgrounds," director Amir Zaidan told IslamOnline.net.
"The brochure includes Qur'anic verses, hadiths and supplications about the spiritual journey in addition to what is permissible and forbidden during hajj."
"The institute has also organized sessions to teach the pilgrims about the hajj rituals," he added.
Some 3,500 Austrian pilgrims are traveling for hajj this year. Only 2,500 performed the spiritual journey last year.
Hajj journey costs nearly 1,700-2,500 euros.
One of the five pillars of Islam, hajj consists of several ceremonies, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim -- who can financially afford the trip -- must perform hajj once in their lifetime.
Nearly two million Muslim pilgrims from across the world will ascend Mount `Arafat, the climax of hajj, on Friday, December 29.
Educational
Nearly 70 German-speaking Austrians are joining the hajj trips organized by the institute.
"We opened the door for teachers of the Islamic faith, relatives and acquaintances, most of whom are not Arabic-speaking," said Zaidan.
"The institute sees hajj as an educational trip, not only a spiritual one."
The first batch of Austrian pilgrims in the institute-organized trips left for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, December 21. The second batch will travel in the coming few days.
The Islamic Religious Authority (IRA) is also organizing hajj trips for the German-speaking Austrians and Muslims of the second and third generations.
"This will unify between the different origins," said IRA official Moddar Khoga.
Muslims are estimated at 400,000, making up 4 percent of Austria's 8 million population.
Islam, which was officially acknowledged in Austria in 1912, is considered the second religion in the country after Catholic Christianity.
Coordination
Zaidan said IRA is seeking to coordinate hajj trips for Austrian pilgrims in the coming year to "avoid mishaps and violations" by organizers.
"The IRA is representing the Muslim minority in Austria and will be responsible for pilgrims before Saudi authorities," he stressed.
"IRA is only seeking supervise hajj organization to help tackle violations and guarantee an appropriate level of organization," he added.
The Islamic center is one of organizers of this year's hajj trips.
"VIP hajj is also offered for our 100 pilgrims this year," said Farid al-Khottani.
"Pilgrims will be settled in well-equipped tents and will be given easy access to transportation at a unified price of 1,867 euros for each pilgrim," he added.
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