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Muslims across the world have returned from Hajj, but there are many Indian non-Muslims who have undergone a spiritual journey too, by serving the Hajis and coaching them.
• Albert D Souza, 54, a mechanical engineer working in Jeddah, takes leave for one month, comes to Mumbai during the Haj season and coaches the Hajis for the trip.
• Krishna Joseph, 31, an architect, working with a Riyadh based construction company spends weekends in the company of travelling Hajis helping them in any way possible.
Non- Muslims cannot perform Haj nor do they visit Makkah and Madinah. There are hundreds of Indian non- Muslims who consider Haj as a spiritual journey and associate with the Haj in their own ways which gives them spiritual satisfaction.
Krishna Joseph's house in Riyadh converts into a Haj camp during the season. He says that the atmosphere during Haj is so spiritual that one cannot experience it anywhere else. "When I am interacting with Hajis, I feel like I am flying on an angel's wings," said Krishna.
"I have read Prophet Muhammad's (Pbuh) story more than six times. I have heard lectures about his life numerous times as well. I have read and learnt about countless traditions. So when Hajis go to Madinah, I like to serve them and make them happy. It's my way of offering salutation to the Prophet," said Krishna.
Albert D, Souza can talk about Haj as any Muslim who has done Haj multiple times. Albert is most impressed by the Haj spectacle. Every year, he witnesses the live telecast of the Haj. "I have never witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practised by people of all colours and races here in this ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures", said Albert.
Dr Navin Sharma, 26, a general physician in Riyadh, makes it a point to offer free treatment to all the Hajis. His passion is to eat the same food and drink from the same glass, with Hajis. "I cannot go to Makkah, but by serving Hajis, I get the feeling that I am performing Haj. I experience the spiritual enrichment which I do not experience at any other time of the year," said Dr Navin.
Vishal Negi, who runs a department store in Riyadh offers maximum discount to Hajis. He says, "all that takes place during Haj makes me realise that there definitely is an unseen power behind all that goes on in the world. The fact that an unbelievable number of people, of all ages and in all kinds of conditions, perform the same rituals at the same time and at the same place is a realisation that leaves you wonderstruck. Just helping Hajis and looking at them performing the ritual re-charges me in every way, more so emotionally and spiritually,"
Jigme Roy, 30, civil engineer with a construction firm at Jeddah makes it a point to watch the telecast of Haj. He says "there is something so special, peaceful, and magnetic about the Kabah with people of all walks of life circling it and praying around it, a rainbow of people of all colour, race, culture, gender, and riches, showing humility, asking for forgiveness from the only One that forgives, and praying in unison, fearing the day we shall account for our actions. It gives me peace and I don't have words to describe it".
Sasha Ram, 27, working with an automobile dealer at Jeddah offers five times prayers during Haj at his shop. When asked what he thinks about the Haj, he said, "I could not help but ask, why are they here, who told them to come here, what is it that made them embrace Islam; and realise the great achievement of Prophet Mu'hammad and how noble, charismatic, and truthful he must have been; and the intrinsic ever-lasting powerful and appealing call of the revealed Quran, to Islam. I wish I can convert to Islam, so that I can perform Haj".
Sandeep Iyer, 42, claims that he knows more about Islam than many Muslims. Working with a trading house for the last nine years, Sandeep has closely observed Muslims and learnt about Islam from them. According to him, the most appealing aspect about Islam is, "Islam measures greatness not in terms of wealth or power, but in terms of civility, good manners and purity of heart".
Sandeep himself coaches Hajis. "I tell Hajis that it is imperative for all the pilgrims to always bear in mind that to seek comfort for themselves they should not cause trouble, push or shove their fellow pilgrims, especially at crowded places like Jamarat and while circumabulating the Ka'bah and performing Sa'ee between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah hillocks. Kindness, mercy and compassion towards others are essential pre-requisites for subduing the inherent selfish and egoistic traits in a human soul," said Sandeep.
Avanne Dubash, 41, an exporter lands in Jeddah on a business trip during Haj. "Islam lays considerable stress on man's collective righteousness. Haj has a great value from this angle as it provides a forum to unite Muslims all over the world and enables them to discuss and find answers to the problems the worldwide community of faith is faced with," he says.
(The writer can be reached at mhl@rediffmail.com)
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