Tomorrow evening is Back to School Night at JWMS. I strongly recommend that you and your student attend, as it will give you a great opportunity to meet your child's teachers and find out about how JWMS classrooms function. Tomorrow night is also the perfect time to get information and ask questions regarding tutoring, expectations, the computer, and more. Please plan on attending Back to School night at JWMS from 6:30-8:00pm
See you there!
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The Sacrifice Ritual
Each pilgrim buys a sheep or a goat and gives its meat away to the poor. Those who cannot afford to sacrifice a sheep or a goat buy a portion of meat and give that away. The sacrifice is an offering to thank God for his generosity and blessings. It also allows those who are more fortunate to share their wealth with those less fortunate. More importantly, it testifies that, like Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son, the pilgrim is willing to give up all worldly desires. Since all Muslims, wherever they might be, perform the sacrifice ritual at this same time, the ritual of sacrifice at Mecca creates a special bond among all Muslims. In other words, through the ritual of the sacrifice, the hajj pilgrim gives Islam its special sense of international understanding and solidarity.
Taking off the ihram
The pilgrim has been wearing the ihram since before entering Mecca. Now the ihram is removed. Men shave their hair while women cut off a symbolic lock for deconsecration. Everyone bathes, puts on new clothes, and gets ready for performing the tawaf or circumambulation around the Ka'ba (cube).
Before performing the tawaf, the pilgrim throws seven pebbles at each of the three pillars, starting with the first, small pillar, followed by the middle pillar and, finally, at the Jamrat-ul-Aqabah.
The tawaf, which must be performed before the sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hajjah, is not easy to perform. One million pilgrims must stand in front of the black stone and begin their circumambulations. Taking turns, it may take one, two, or even three days before a pilgrim can perform the tawaf. Each day, before going to perform the tawaf, the pilgrim must throw 21 pebbles at the three pillars. That's why some pilgrims bring 70, rather than the required 49, pebbles from Muzdalifah.
At Muzdalifah
After sunset, a cannon fired ceremonially, signals that the pilgrim must begin the journey back to Mina. The pilgrim is to stay at Muzdalifah for more worship and rest. The next day, before leaving Muzdalifah, the pilgrim gathers 49 pebbles and carries them with. Some more cautious pilgrims pick up 70 pebbles. The pebbles are thrown at the Devil at specific points in the ritual. 49 pebbles would be sufficient, if the tawaf can be performed according to schedule. Every time that the tawaf is postponed, more pebbles must be used at Mina, before performing the tawaf (more details below).
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