Ukrainian Pilgrims Back from Hajj with Memorable Prize

Kyiv. – In Kyiv Islamic Social Cultural Center took place the welcoming meeting of the pilgrims, who safely returned from Hajj and brought with them memorable prize for the perfect observance of the rules of Hajj in this year.

Ukrainian pilgrims safely returned to the native land on the 5^th of January after the performance of Hajj rituals on the Arabian peninsula. They were met by their relatives, friends and Muslim brothers in Borispol airport.

This year the pilgrims from Ukraine were represented by different nationalities. Tired, but happy, they one by one left the customs corridor. Their faces radiated happiness and content from the duty before their Lord, which they performed. The voyage of the Ukrainian delegation was realized with the assistance of "Alraid" and Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Moscow.

This year in the course of the pilgrimage Muslim World League established prize among European delegations for the best observance of Hajj rituals. It is pleasant to note that out of many delegations the Ukrainian one was awarded by this memorable prize.

On the 12^th of January in Kyiv Islamic Cultural Center took place the festive dinner and events concerning safe returning of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia. After performing the ritual ceremony, one of the most important events of religious life of Muslims, gathered pilgrims told to their Muslim brothers about the feelings and trials which they experienced in the course of Hajj.

"It is very difficult to describe in plain words those feelings which you experience in the course of pilgrimage, or when you see the Kaaba. I believe that in order to feel this one has to experience it himself. Coming out after customs control in Borispol airport I thought that God is so merciful to a man, giving him ability to perform Hajj and to be purified by it, to be like a new-born baby. But after the pilgrimage you again become utterly absorbed by problems and troubles of this perishable world. And here your task is to keep, to preserve and not to darken the light of Allah, given to you at the time of the blessed Hajj", shared his thoughts with the audience Igor Karpishin, the head of the department of Familiarizing with Islamic culture in Kyiv ICC.

Omar Abu Jamal, who bore the burden of all organizational matters also shared his impressions, "This is the third Hajj for me, and the second one in organizer's role. Surely you feel high responsibility before the Almighty for every member of the delegation, that is why you should be maximally concentrated in the course of the whole pilgrimage. Thank God, during Hajj no one of our pilgrims suffered or fell ill. We were a bit nervous in Amman airport because of strike of its workers, but thank God everything turned out all right for us and we safely returned to Ukraine. Now we can heave a sigh of relief and to have a good sleep".

The head of "Alraid" greeted the pilgrims with the warm words, "We ask Allah to accept their pilgrimage and to answer their prayers. We hope that next year the Almighty will give the ability to perform Hajj to those who still could not perform it".

Hajj greatness is infinitely entrancing and fascinating. A huge number of people join in the holy city of Makkah, following the call of their Creator. In this place you truly feel the unity of all the nations and peoples, which were united by Islam. No matter what language you speak or what is the color of your skin, we all belong to One God.

Informational department of "Alraid"