Hajj is the preparation for migrating from ordinary life towards the ideal life, the tawhīdi life in which there is constant tawāf [circumambulation] around the Axis of Truth [the Ka’aba], continuous sa’ī [the running between the hills of Safā and Marwāh], the perpetual ramī [casting of stones] of evil Shaytān, the wuqūf [resting] that is accompanied by dhīkr and supplications, feeding the weakened poor and the traveler and viewing all colors, races, languages and people from various geographies as equal.

And at all times, a person is ready to serve, seeks refuge in God and raises high the banner of defending the Truth. These are its main, eternal components.

The Hajj ritual gathers within itself symbolic examples of this life, familiarizes the pilgrim with these examples and invites them to these.

This invitation should be heeded. One must open the heart and eyes to see both the outer and the inner world. One must learn and be steadfast in one’s resolve to put these lessons into practice.

Everyone can step forward in this path in accordance with their capacity, but scholars, intellectuals, those entrusted with political authority and people of social standing should do more than others.

The Islamic world needs to apply these lessons now more than ever. It is now the second season of Hajj that is taking place at the same time as the catastrophes unfolding in Gaza and West Asia. The criminal Zionist gang occupying Palestine has with horrifying cruelty and unparalleled savagery and evil, taken the tragedy in Gaza to an unbelievable level.

Palestinian children are now being killed not only by bombs, bullets, and missiles, but also by thirst and starvation. The number of families grieving for their loved ones, their youth, their fathers and their mothers are increasing day by day. Who must stand up against this human catastrophe?

Undoubtedly, Islamic governments are the first ones responsible to act on this duty and the people must demand this action from their governments. Muslim governments may have differing political opinions on various issues, but this should not prevent them from coming to a consensus and cooperating in the case of the horrendous situation in Gaza. It should not stop them from defending the most oppressed people in the world today.