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Thousands of people from Saskatoon’s Muslim community gathered at SaskTel Centre to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the holiest day for Muslim worshipers.
Eid al-Adha celebrates the end of Hajj, the holy pilgrimage that sees millions of Muslims gather in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for what is considered to be humanity’s largest gathering place.
Hajj celebrates the journey of prophet Abraham, his wife Hajar, and their son, the prophet Ishmael. According to teachings, the trio were put to the test by God and passed tests by putting their faith in God.
(Keenan Sorokan/650 CKOM)
Shabir Mia was one of the roughly 3,000 people gathered to pray at SaskTel Centre. He fondly remembers his humbling journey to Mecca.
“When you’re there, it’s extremely humbling and overwhelming at the same time because it’s never what you expected to be,” Mia said. “The big thing you’re left with there is this sense of spirituality that you can’t quite describe, it’s like nothing else you’ve experienced before.”
All adults in the Muslim faith are obligated, if they are able, to make the pilgrimage to Mecca once where the Hajj is meant to embody peace, harmony and courage.
Anywhere from 2 million to 4 million people gather each year at Mecca to pray in unison. Mia said it is hard to comprehend when you see it with your own eyes.
“It’s difficult to even imagine when you’re there that there is over one million people doing the same thing as you at that time. I couldn’t quite get my head around that fact,” Mia said.
(Keenan Sorokan/650 CKOM)
Abdullah Patel made the journey in 2009, and he said the overwhelming feeling soon turns to humility.
“When you first get there, it overwhelms you. But then you see people pray in unison and it’s something to withhold,” Patel said. “It’s an unbelievable experience. It’s everyone doing the same thing like it’s coordinated, but it just happens.”
Eid al-Adha celebrations last for three days, but the Islamic Centre of Saskatchewan is planning a festival at its Copland Crescent on Saturday.