The Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Fifth Pillar of Islam: Watch Hajj 2011 Live From Saudi Arabia on Youtube

The Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Fifth Pillar of Islam:

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory act of worship (Ibadat); means to visit the Kaa'ba in Makkah on the specified dates in the month of Zul-Hijjah (Dhul-Hijjah) and perform the religious rites in accordance with the Islamic Laws.

In the forenoon of the eighth day of Zul-Hijjah (Dhul-Hijjah), a pilgrim purifies himself once again by bathing as he did before ‘Umrah in the place in which he is staying, if convenient. He puts on his Ihram and recites few Arabic verses called Talbeeh:

"Labbaik, Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik La Shareeka-lak Labbaik. Innal hamdah wan-naimatah laka walmulk. La Shareeka-lak."

The above verses translate as…

"Here I am, oh Allah, here I am. Here I am. You have no partner. Here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partners."

This year Hajj will begin from 5th November and approximately 2.5 million Muslims from around the globe have reached Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Only Muslims are allowed to enter these sacred areas, Mina’, Muzdalifah, Arafat but now everyone can watch it live on YouTube.

Here’s the link to watch Hajj live from Saudi Arabia.

Hajj Live on Youtube

To read on more about Hajj related issues .... Click HERE.

Zul-Hijjah Moon Sighted in Pakistan -- Eid al-Adha (Eid-ul-Azha) 2011 will be on Monday (November 07)

FAISALABAD, Pakistan (Oct. 28) – According to news aired on private TV channels; the moon for Islamic month of Zul-Hijjah (also called as Dhul-Hijjah in Arabic accent) has been sighted today; therefore, Eid al-Adha (Eid-ul-Azha/Bakra Eid) will be celebrated on Monday, 7^th November 2011.

Zul-hijjah Moon Sighted in Pakistan Today - Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman to Announce Officially

The Central Moon Sighting Committee led by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman will announce it officially very shortly.

Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is the second of the two major Islamic festivals. The other is Eid al-Fitr which follows Ramadan, a lunar month of partial fasting. 

Read more on the link below:

ALLVOICES

Photo Gallery: Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011 -- Featuring at least 32 Pakistani and International designers

KARACHI, Pakistan (Oct. 9) – Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011: Today is the final day of the Karachi Fashion Week’s third edition for Spring/Summer 2012 collection being organised by the Excellent Events and Entertainment (Triple-E) under the Pakistan Fashion Council (PFC), with support from both the International and National Chapter Pakistan of the World Fashion Organization (WFO).

Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011 featuring at least 32 Pakistani and International designers

Several celebrities and designers appreciated the healthy activity and termed it the need of the hour so as to encourage not only local designers at the international level but also to support Pakistan’s export sector. In the present situation, especially in Karachi, they termed the event as a “breath of fresh air”.

At least 32 Pakistani and International designers and 70 Pakistani male and female models, are participating in the four-day “Fashion Week”.

Watch photo gallery below for very few selected designers.

Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011 featuring at least 32 Pakistani and International designers

Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011 featuring at least 32 Pakistani and International designers

Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011 featuring at least 32 Pakistani and International designers

Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011 featuring at least 32 Pakistani and International designers

Karachi Fashion Week Oct. 6-9, 2011 featuring at least 32 Pakistani and International designers

 For more exclusive galleries from the Karachi Fashion Week 2011, follow the links given below:

Xinhua News

The Express Tribune

The Dawn Media Gallery

Eid-ul-Fitr 2011 (Eid al-Fitr 1432 AH) - - Will it be on same day as in Saudi Arabia..??

Eid ul-Fitr is one of the most significant festivals among the Muslims. It marks the end of the month of Ramazan also known as Ramadan, the month of fasting. In Arabic language Eid means festivity. Eid ul-Fitr means Festival of Breaking the Fast. This festival falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal, which is the tenth month according to the Islamic Calendar. 

Eid Mubarak: Eid ul-Fitr Likely on Wednesday (August 31)

If not impossible then it is very rare that majority of the Muslims across the globe celebrating Eid ul-Fitr on the same day and this rarity is just about to happen this year.

Reportedly, astronomical data hints that there is a possibility for sighting the new moon of Shawwal, 1432 AH in Pakistan on the evening of August 30, stated Pakistan Meteorological Office. 

On the other hand; the Islamic Crescent Observation Project (ICOP) is expecting that Eid-ul-Fitr this year will be celebrated in most of the Muslim countries on August 31 (Wednesday), a UAE-based newspaper reported. Although ICOP excluded few Muslim countries from this assumption based on the starting of Ramadan in these countries on August 1, including some countries in the Middle East, north and central Asia and northern Africa; but even then most of the Muslims will be celebrating Eid ul-Fitr on the same day, Wednesday (August 31).  

The basis of this conclusion is mentioned as the relatively shorter period of sighting the moon in most of the Muslim countries on August 29. 

According to Pakistan Met office the weather will be clear in most parts of the country on Tuesday (August 30) evening with only partially cloudy southern parts; therefore, the moon can be sighted on Tuesday (August 30) resulting in Eid ul-Fitr falling on Wednesday (August 31).

Chand Raat 2011: A Festival Night before Eid-ul-Fitr - Shopping, Bangles, Mehndi, Fun and Celebrations

For Muslims across the globe, Eid-ul-Fitr, or Meethi (Sweet) Eid as it is known in Pakistan and India, is one of the favourite celebrations of the Muslim calendar.

1st Shawwal: Muslims Mark the End of Holy Ramadan and Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “charity” and so the holiday symbolises the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated starting on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

New Dresses, Matching Shoes, Mehndi (Henna), Bangles (Churiyan) All Are Part of Eid and Chand Raat Festivities

Festival before Eid-ul-Fitr – Chand Raat:

'Chand Raat' is considered to be the eve of Eid Moon or the night of the sighting of the new moon. The term Chand Raat refers to the evening on which first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal is sighted. Chand Raat (pre-Eid night) is celebrated as a very special occasion by Muslims all over the world.

Chand Raat: A Festival Night Before Eid-ul-Fitr

Chand Raat (pre-Eid night) is a multicultural Islamic celebration/event. Chand Raat which means 'night of the moon ' in the Urdu language marks the end of Ramadan and the start of month of Shawwal and Eid-ul-Fitr falls on 1st of Shawwal (10th month of Islamic/lunar calendar).

Activities and Celebrations on Chand Raat:

Chand Raat activities and festivities start with the first sighting of the moon. Children, adults, young, old, ladies and gents all celebrate the Eid moon sighting with passion and zeal. 

Wish Each Other Chand Raat Mubarak

As children we used to wait for the sighting of the moon and the announcement after it was seen. What a frenzy when all the family members would be on the roofs of their houses to see the new crescent emerge once the last fast (or 'Roza' in Urdi and ‘Soam’ in Arabic) had been finished with dates, cold drink and 'pakoras' and samosas. Every body without any age limit, full of enthusiasm, wishes each other Chand mubarak or Eid ka Chand mubarak .

"Chand Raat" ... Markets and Bazaars:

 

On this special night, City streets, markets, shopping malls gives a look of a festival. They are decorated very brightly. Markets and shopping malls remain open till late night. 

Chand Raat: Bazaars and markets will remain open almost all the night

This is the eve on which gifts are exchanged among friends, family and loved ones. People wear their best dresses to celebrate and enjoy this eve. Parents try their best to get the best clothes and Eid gifts for their children so that they can enjoy the full excitement of Eid day.

"Chand Raat" ... And Bangles (Churiyan):

Chand Raat: Every female wants beautiful  bangles matching with dress and shoes

Woman always inclined towards jewellery on special occasions like Eid and hardly imagine about Eid celebration without jewellery and makeup. Colourful and Bright Churiyan (bangles) lit the whole market with its beauty and vibrant colours. 

Chand Raat: Ladies concentrate on matching jewellery and accessories

People from all age groups can be seen in the markets buying Bangles for themselves or their loved ones. The tradition of buying bangles for Eid on the “Chand Raat” (The night before Eid) is still a much practiced Eid ritual.

Chand Raat: A night with colors and brightness visible in eyes

The young girls would take to the markets on the night before Eid where they would buy colourful bangles and specially prepared ‘bangle sets’ to be worn on Eid Day. Bangles have been an integral part of a women’s life since her childhood in the subcontinent.

"Chand Raat" ... And Mehndi (Henna):

Chand Raat: Celebrations are incomplete without Mehndi (Henna)

Shiny bangles, jewellery, bright clothes with matching footwear are part and parcel of the Eid festivities but applying glittering henna on hands and feet bring real fun for the young girls on “Chand Raat”.

Chand Raat: Beautiful Mehndi designs are made on hands and feet

Now the henna tattoos are also available in markets and are easy to paste on hands and feet and can be removed easily. The young girls admire henna tattoos associated with celebrations of Eid specifically.