Anyone who performs the holy act of Haj is, in Arabic, called a Haji, and this is considered a great honor. It signifies that he/she has completed the fifth and final pillar of Islam. Authorities have reported around three million registered pilgrims this year. The Saudi Gazette met a 14-year-old Haji who is a ninth grade student at Dar Al-Dhikr School here. He joined a Haj group that guides, supports and transports 55 pilgrims each year from Jeddah to each of the holy sites: Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifa, and Mina. Nooruldeen Alzuabi was the youngest pilgrim in his group. The leader's wife, Sahar Al-Safadi, said: “Nooruldeen was so willing and quick to help the elderly in our group and carry some of their baggage. He took turns with my husband holding up a cane for all members to see and follow, to prevent anyone from getting lost. Even after walking for hours, he was cheerful and smiling and he never complained.” Q: Why did you choose to perform Haj at such a young age? A: Since it is obligatory for every Muslim once in a lifetime, I wanted to perform Haj early so that I could feel at ease that I had fulfilled all the pillars of Islam. If all the conditions to perform Haj have been met, which include reaching puberty, being sane, healthy, physically and financially able, I had no excuse to postpone performing Haj. I do not know what will happen in my life next year. What if I get sick or what if my father moves out of the country? If you put Haj off until you get older, I think it will be much more difficult. Q: What was the most difficult part of your Haj journey? A: The most difficult part for me was performing the Tawaf Al-Ifada. Honestly, I was scared when I saw the worshippers filling the entire white marble ground around the Ka'ba. I was nervous when people would push us for no reason and it was extremely crowded and it was even difficult to breathe. To avoid being crushed by the crowds, I was advised to stay in the outer circle. However, walking at a longer distance from the Ka'ba caused the tawaf to take much more time. After we completed the seventh rotation it was hard to get out because waves of people kept pushing me inwards. Finally, someone from my group held my hand and literally pulled me out of the crowd. Throwing the pebbles at Jamarat was not so hard because our group was very organized. I helped the men link our arms together to surround the women and keep them in the middle to protect them. When we got close enough to the large wall symbolizing the ‘Satan', we broke the chain to throw our seven pebbles, and then joined arms again to exit safely. Q: What was the impression you got from performing Haj for the first time? A: On our bus ride from Jeddah to Makkah I was both excited and scared. I had heard so many stories that Haj was exhausting and difficult. But it turned out to be much easier than I had expected. We spent so much time sitting in the bus and resting at Arafat. Pilgrims have so many chances to read the Qur'an, ask for forgiveness, and make du'a. It is as if you are forced to do good deeds because there is nothing else you can do while you are waiting. You can't take a PSP on a spiritual trip! Q: What was the best part about your Haj journey? A: The part I enjoyed the most was sitting in Arafat from noon until sunset. I learned at school that Allah grants all pilgrims at Arafat their wishes and forgives their sins. I asked Allah to help me get good grades in school, to help me come in first in my class, and to grant my family and me Paradise. What I also liked about my Haj trip was meeting so many different people. I made such good friends and I took their phone numbers and e-mail addresses so that we can stay in touch even after Haj. On the long bus rides some of them would tell jokes, we would talk, and different people would distribute chocolates, cookies and dates. Our leader would recite very emotional supplications for us to repeat after him. If the same group goes for Haj next year, I definitely want to go with them again! Q: What is the first thing you want to do when you reach home? A: The first thing I want to do is to take a shower and then play my favorite computer game online. Q: Scholars say that performing Haj changes pilgrim for the better in one way or another? How do you hope that this Haj will inspire you to improve yourself as a Muslim? A: I really want to start praying my five daily prayers at the mosque. I think I can do it because there is a mosque in my neighborhood that I can walk to. I also hope to obey my parents, listen to their advice, and help them more than I have done in the past. __
