This week two million pilgrims from all over the world will be embarking on the once-in-a-lifetime rite of passage that is the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that define the spiritual existence of Muslims everywhere.
For those now fulfilling their obligation, ahead lie five days of spiritual contemplation and renewal steeped in historic ritual. The Hajj retraces the steps of the Prophet Mohammed, who performed his first and only pilgrimage in 632AD, leading a group of followers, who have been performing the same steps ever since.
For most taking part in this year’s Hajj, this will be the first time they have set eyes on the Kaaba or seen Makkah, towards which they have directed their daily prayers.
They will join Muslims from every corner of the world, representing every nation and culture, as they circumnambulate the Kaaba.
When they walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah, the pilgrims remember the search for water by the prophet Ibrahim’s wife Hagar. And when they spend the night in quiet contemplation in Mina, hurl pebbles, symbolically pelting the devil, and gather on Mount Arafat to pray, they do so much as pilgrims did nearly 1,400 years ago.
While the Hajj is as physically and emotionally strenuous as it was then, this year will be the most technologically friendly pilgrimage, with numerous tools on hand to smooth the process, from phone apps guiding pilgrims through every step of the way to 4G antennas offering widespread phone connection and wi-fi coverage throughout Makkah.
The rituals, however, remain unchanged and through them, Muslims will reconnect with their spirituality. But in addition to its personal meaning, Hajj also has great universal significance.
The sheer spectacle of such a mass of humanity, from all walks of life, in the same simple attire representing the equality of all believers before God, is a powerful reminder that through commitment to a higher ideal, they might transcend earthly preoccupations and overcome seemingly intractable differences.
This is also a time of compassion for those less fortunate, embodied in the festival of Eid Al Adha which follows, during which an animal is sacrificed and shared with those in need.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reminded his Twitter followers of this obligation yesterday, urging them "to extend a helping hand to our brothers in India", where hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced by the flooding in Kerala.
For the pilgrims following in the historic footsteps of their forebears today, Hajj is an opportunity to reconnect with their inner spirituality in the company of legions of fellow believers, past and present, from all backgrounds and nations.
As such, it is an occasion unique in human experience and an exercise in faith, hope and compassion that serves as an example to the world.
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
AIDA%20RETURNS
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The%C2%A0specs%20
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Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Bob%20Marley%3A%20One%20Love
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1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
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The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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liverpool youngsters
Ki-Jana Hoever
The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Herbie Kane
Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.
Luis Longstaff
Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.
Yasser Larouci
An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.
Adam Lewis
Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
PSG's line up
GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)
Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)
Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)
Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)
Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
