Masjids / Mosques in Toronto (GTA) Canada

ISNA Islamic Centre of Canada - Eid ul Adha 2009 family

2009-11-29T12:32:00.004-05:00

ICC Eidul Adha Family Celebration

Saturday, December 5, 2009

at the ISNA® Islamic Centre of Canada

Tickets: $7 per person

For more information please contact Sh. Ala'a at 905-403-8406 Ext. 314

Islamic Society of North America Canada (ISNA)

2200 South Sheridan Way,
Mississauga, ON L5J 2M4 Phone:
905-403-8406
Toronto Line: 416-626-0001
Fax:
905-403-8409 E-mail:
isna@isnacanada.com
http://www.isnacanada.com/

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Eid ul Adha 2009 - Qurbani meat collection and distribution - Brampton Islamic Centre - Sun. Nov. 29, 2009 4-8pm

2009-11-29T12:26:00.002-05:00

Qurbani Meat can be donated to the mosque on Sunday Nov. 29, 2009 between the hours of 4:00 - 8:00pm.
Please ensure that it is packaged and labeled.

Brampton Islamic Centre

6 Lowry Drive Brampton, Ontario, L7A 1C4
Telephone: 905-459-9444
located 2 lights north of Bovaird,
on the North East corner of McLaughlin Rd & Lowry

http://www.bsia.ca/

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Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) Annual Winter Dinner - Thurs. Dec. 24, 2009

2009-11-29T12:15:00.003-05:00

Annual winter dinner - Thursday December 24

We invite you and your family to our annual winter dinner featuring renowned nasheed artist Waleed Hilal.

For tickets please call
Brother Mohamed Mobeen
Brother Shamir Mohamed
Brother Zahid Ali
IIT office

416-566-1550
416-292-5095
416-284-9571
416-335-9173

Speaker
Entertainment
Time
Tickets
To be announced
Waleed Hilal
Thursday December 24, 6:00 pm
$30/person (free admission ages 7 and under)

1630 Neilson Road
Scarborough, ON
M1X 1S3
Phone: 416-335-9173
Fax: 416-335-9208
E-mail: iit@islam.ca
http://www.islam.ca/

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Eid ul Adha 2009 - Qurbani meat collection and distribution - Islamic Foundation of Toronto (Sun. Nov. 29, 1-7pm)

2009-11-29T11:54:00.003-05:00

Special Message:

Islamic Foundation of Toronto has taken a first time initiative to collect Qurbani meat and distribute it to needy families living in the Regent Park Community in down town, Toronto.

Kindly bring your meat donations to the foundation during the following hours:

Sunday Nov. 29, 2009 - 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Islamic Foundation of Toronto

441 Nugget Avenue,
Scarborough, Ontario
M1S 5E1
Tel: 416-321-0909
Fax: 416-321-1995
Email: info@islamicfoundation.ca
Website: www.islamicfoundation.ca

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Direct broadcast from the Grand Mosque in Mecca - live video (and audio during salat)

2009-11-28T11:04:00.010-05:00

Direct broadcast from the Grand Mosque in Mecca

Click here for site: http://live.gph.gov.sa/index.cfm (click on Flash icon (f)

for real-time view and RealPlayer icon (r) during salat times for video and audio)

البث المباشر من المسجد الحرام بمكة المكرمة Direct broadcast from the Grand Mosque in Mecca (click on the flash icon for real-time view) ملاحظة: الصوت يعمل مباشرة وقت الصلاة والخطب باستخدم برنامج ريل بلاير Note: the Real Player feed (audio and video) works only during the time of prayer and speeches.	كاميرا المطاف والركن اليماني Camera up and the Yemeni Corner
	توسعة الملك فهد Expansion of King Fahd
	كاميرا باب الملك عبد العزيز من الداخل والخارج Camera King Abdul-Aziz from home and abroad
	باب الكعبة Door of the Ka'bah

الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي General Presidency for the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque

بوابة الحرمين الشريفين Gate of the Two Holy Mosques

وكالة الرئاسة العامة لشؤون المسجد النبوي Agency General Presidency for the Prophet's Mosque

صلاة التراويح من المسجد الحرام Taraweeh prayers from the Grand Mosque

Hajj 2009 - VIDEO: Eid ul Adha salat in Mecca (Makkah: Haram Sharif)

2009-11-28T10:39:00.002-05:00

Eid al Adha Salah Mecca 2009 lead by Sheikh Usaamah Khayyat - Video

Hajj 2009 - Hajj pilgrim leaders renew faith

2009-11-27T16:05:00.001-05:00

Hajj pilgrim leaders renew faith

By Amir Ahmed, CNN

November 27, 2009 3:20 p.m. EST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

U.S. couple becomes tour group leaders to make repaeted Hajj trips
Group leaders picked for religious knowledge, familiarity with holy sites
Saira Siddiqui: There's always people seeing and doing everything for the first time

Mecca, Saudia Arabia (CNN) -- For the average pilgrim, going for Hajj poses financial and physical burdens, but a U.S. couple who aspire to attend the Hajj every year has found a way to help with the steep cost.

They have become "group leaders" who help guide other pilgrims and enrich the experience for them. In turn, they say, the experience has changed their lives.

For Irtiza Hasan and his wife Saira Siddiqui it is a journey they look forward to despite the thousands of dollars it takes.

This is the second year they have come to Mecca for the annual Muslim pilgrimage, and they hope to come every year. The Hajj -- the fifth pillar of Islam -- requires devotees to journey to Mecca at least once in their lives if they can afford to do so.

Irtiza said the Hajj is special because "it renews my faith."

"All year round my schedule revolves around my career, education, community work and recreation. Hajj gives me a chance to rejuvenate my spirituality," he said.

Saira added: "Going for Hajj will always be a different experience because we are never the same person as we were before."

This year is even more different because the couple had to leave their 19-month-old twins, Moussa and Khadija, with family members.

Traveling from the United States, the average cost for a Hajj package which includes accommodation and food for 18 days is about $7,500 a person.

The 30-year-old middle class couple from Houston, Texas, tackle the high cost by being sponsored by a Hajj tour company that hires them as "group leaders." Read and watch more from the Hajj

RELATED TOPICS

People qualify as group leaders based on religious knowledge, familiarity with holy sites in and around Mecca plus leadership skills. Every group leader is responsible for about 80 pilgrims, advising on fatwas, which are rulings on points of Islamic law, plus directing the pilgrims' movements throughout the trip.

The couple acknowledges the heavy responsibility. "You are servicing people and helping facilitate an act of worship that pilgrims will probably only do once in their lifetime," says Irtiza.

But Saira said: "I think I will always enjoy it because there will be people who are seeing and doing everything for the first time, and that re-energizes you."

Friday, on the third day of Hajj, the couple went back to the tent city of Mina, about two miles from Mecca, and reflected on the message of Hajj.

"For me, Hajj is something that 'shakes you up' so to speak," said Saira. "It's a profound experience that changes the way you think and how you look at things. It helps me reprioritize what's really important in life. I enjoy going repeatedly because I always find benefit from removing myself from all the distractions in life and really focusing once again on my real purpose."

For Irtiza, a human resources manager, the message goes further, "Hajj means humanity. Hajj means equality. Hajj means the story of family -- of a father and a son, of a husband and his wife, of Abraham, Ishmael and Hagar."

Muslims believe that Hajj rituals commemorate the trials faced by Prophet Abraham and his family.

Saira, a Ph.D. candidate in Social Education, explains, "It's the story of one family, which is something I think we can all relate to. It's about remembering their patience, their trust in God, their resilience in adversity.

"But I think Hajj is also about connecting with other Muslims on a 'human' level, as opposed to connecting with people based on nationality, race, gender, class, or the million other ways we usually connect with people.

"Millions of people all come together to do the same things at the same time. You don't stand out, and that's the point... It's about humbling oneself."

The couple spoke of Hajj as a vehicle to strengthen their marriage and friendship. "I think there's wisdom in Hajj being an obligation on every able Muslim greater than we can understand or try to describe," Sarita said. "To say that it is life changing seems too simplistic to be honest... the benefits are too numerous to list."

Irtiza struggles for words when asked to explain how Hajj has changed his perception about life.

"I do not know how to say this. But when I sat down next to a woman from South Korea, who told me how she had to travel all the way to Pakistan just to get a Hajj visa; or when I talked to a 70-year old Nigerian man who said he saved up money all his life just to make this trip but now he cannot hear! All these stories move you! They change you to be more humble and grateful."

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Hajj 2009 - acocunt from Australia

2009-11-27T15:47:00.002-05:00

The Muslim Hajj: a pilgrimage worth risking life for

By Nic MacBean

Posted Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:26am AEDT
Updated Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:13pm AEDT

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca after morning prayers. (Reuters: Caren Firouz)

In a place like that where it's very sacred for Muslims it would be a good place to die nevertheless.

– Omar Saghir

It may be a gruelling and at-times dangerous journey for Muslim pilgrims, but Brisbane man Omar Saghir says the Hajj last year was the most amazing experience of his life.

Millions of Muslim pilgrims have already risked floods and swine flu this year on the annual journey to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

But the 28-year-old wants to make the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia again as soon as he can save up the money.

"The experience for me, because I'm Australian-born and I've never really been outside of Australia, it was a very, very, very intriguing experience," Mr Saghir said.

"It was very diverse and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience because I haven't seen anything like it."

The Hajj in pictures - listen to Omar Saghir's experiences.

Followers of Islam are required by their faith to try and make the pilgrimage once in their lifetime.

According to the Muslim faith the prophet Abraham performed a series of rituals in Mecca thousands of years ago, and on a modern-day Hajj pilgrims follow in those footsteps.

Over seven days the rituals include completing circuits of a building called the Kaaba in the centre of the Grand Mosque, throws stones in a ritual stoning of the devil, and drinking from the sacred Zamzam well.

This year around 3 million people are converging on Saudi Arabia, and they have already battled widespread floods in Jeddah, the city where most pilgrims arrive by plane.

And due to the huge numbers of pilgrims most Muslim travel agents routinely warn their clients to prepare themselves for frustration, mental anguish, annoyance and anger.

But difficulties such as these are trivial for the majority of pilgrims, who are determined to fulfil lifetime ambitions.

For Omar Saghir last year it was more a spur-of-the-moment decision than a case of a lifetime ambition fulfilled, although he says the trip inspired him beyond what he had expected.

Mr Saghir, 28, had just seen a business venture on the Gold Coast fall over and he and his business partner decided to put their capital towards a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

"There were 12 days until the Australian delegation went overseas to Hajj, so we ended up making the quick decisions to go to Hajj and used our business money as Hajj money," he said.

"You see people from all walks of life and it's very extraordinary because you'll see that there is no difference between the white man and the black man, the red man and the yellow man, the rich man and the poor man.

"People are all humble together. You couldn't see the difference if this man owned a million dollars or if he owned nothing. You'll see people from all walks of life."

He says he would like to be able to make the trip once every two years, and is determined to complete the pilgrimage at least once every five years.

Three years ago 362 people were crushed to death during the ceremonial stoning of the devil, the worst Hajj tragedy in 16 years.

Authorities have improved facilities to ease the flow of pilgrims, particularly around the area of the stoning of the devil, but the sheer number of visitors stretches authorities to the limit.

Mr Saghir says he recognises the dangers but the risks are worth taking. If the worst was to happen he says he would be willing to die on a pilgrimage.

"At some points you do feel things get very tough, but I wouldn't say it's to the extent that you think you're going to die or at a very large health risk," he said.

"[But] In a place like that where it's very sacred for Muslims it would be a good place to die nevertheless."

Melbourne travel agent Hamidah Rahman, who has helped organise hundreds of people's pilgrimages in recent years, has a similar view of the Hajj.

"You always believe God is there and whatever happens is meant to happen, but precautions have been taken by the Saudi government anyway," she said.

"Accidents sometimes happen but last year I went and nothing happened, two years ago my sister went and nothing happened."

Dangers aside, there is no doubt the pilgrimage still exerts a powerful pull on millions of Muslims all over the world.

"Being up close with the sacred mosque of Mecca or the Kabaa, that is unbelievable," Mr Saghir says.

"I'm used to seeing it on TV or seeing pictures or hearing about it, actually being there amongst the millions and getting up close, that really touches your heart."

Tags: community-and-society, religion-and-beliefs, islam, australia, saudi-arabia

Hajj 2009 in pictures

2009-11-27T15:30:00.003-05:00

Muslims Gather in Numbers to Celebrate the Hajj

Muslim pilgrims on their way to throw pebbles at a stone pillar representing the devil, during the Hajj pilgrim in Mina near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Nov. 27, 2009. The last stage of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the symbolic stoning of the devil, began on Friday. The first day of stoning also marks the start of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, or feast of sacrifice, when Muslims around the world slaughter sheep and cattle in remembrance of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo )

Hajj 2009 - HAJJ - A Journey of Fulfillment

2009-11-27T11:53:00.001-05:00

Precious HAJJ - A
Journey of Fulfillment

The Ihram is such a cultural
and economic equalizer

SPECIAL REPORT BY SHAHID BUTT OF MOMBASA

Coastweek -- A recent circular letter sent out by Shaahid Sheikh, the editor of the news bulletin, to all members of the Mombasa Muslim Association prompted me to put to pen the highlights of my Hajj experience.

I hope some of our members would receive vicarious pleasure reading my experience to the Holy shrines in Makkah and Madinah.

These are memories of a life time.

The joys and surprises of Hajj are many.

While thousands of Muslims travel to various parts of the world, Hajj is an extremely unique and different experience.

I had the yearning to perform Hajj for quite some time.

Suddenly when Shaahid Sheikh explained me about his research to find a reliable Hajj tour operator for his parents, things started falling into place and last year having selected the package at the recommendation of Shaahid Sheikh, I was on my way to Madina, with my wife and Mr. and Mrs. Ramzan Sheikh.

I was dazzled by the first sight of the Prophet's Mosque from the window of my hotel room, I could not stop thanking Allah (SWT) for having fulfilled my dreams.

The feeling it evoked when I was inside the mosque is un-describable and almost surreal - a combination of wonder, humility, love and peace.

We stayed one week in Madina and thereafter made our intention, put on our Ihram and were on our way to Makkah.

The Ihram is such a cultural and economic equalizer.

Everyone looks alike and it is heartening to be surrounded by Muslims every where you look.

The Harram in Makkah is filled with worshipers.

Its splendor is awesome, its pillars majestic and enchanting.

When I walked into the Harram and got my first sight of the Kaabah, I just stood there dumbstruck.

Then we did our Tawaf.

When I did my first circle, I thought I will not be able to touch the stone.

Our Imam, however systematically kept pushing us nearer and in our last circle, I managed to touch the stone!

After completing the seven rounds, we came to the place where Prophet Ibrahim stood and called men to the House of Allah, the Muqam Ibrahim.

We offered two rakats of prayers here to thank Allah (SWT). From Muqam Ibrahim, we moved to hilrock of Safa and walked between Safa and the other hilrock Marwah.

This act which is called Saaie, symbolizes to serve His Master and seek His pleasure.

In Mina, we secured our places in the tents allocated to our group and we quietly meditated in preparation for the day in the plain of Arafat.

The next day we moved to Arafat.

The voices of pilgrims resound through the air and echo to eternity.

Labayk, Allah Humma Labayk ...

(O, Allah! Here I am, present, answering thy call).

As I crouch beneath a tent, I feel closeness to Allah.

I eye the Jabal Al Rahma, the Mount of Mercy.

It is a slummering mirage of white and as far as the eye can see there is movement.

Millions of pilgrims each making contact with the Creator.

At sunset, we moved from the plain of Arafat to Muzdalifah, where we collected pebbles.

The pilgrims then returned to Mina where we stoned the grand Jamarat and returned to Kaabah for Tawaf and Saaie.

Upon our release from the state of Ihram, we ushered and changed and moved back to Mina.

The next day chanting Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest), we stoned the three Jamarats.

We threw our pebbles at each wall with vim and vigor, imagining that we are hitting the devil each time.

By throwing these stones at the pillars which mark the place where the army of the King of Yemen, had reached in their effort to demolish the Kaabah, the pilgrims reaffirm:

"Allah is the Greatest, I throw these stones against Satan and his party testifying to the truth of Thy Book, O Allah, and following the way of Thy Prophet!"

After throwing the stones, animals are sacrificed.

This sacrifice demonstrates the intention and resolve of the pilgrim to give his life in the way of Allah whenever required.

These days this sacrifice is arranged on your behalf by your tour operator in collaboration with the Saudi Authority.

The next day, we returned to Makkah.

The Haram is even more crowded than before.

Before our departure from Makkah, we performed our Tawaf Al Wida and were on our way home.

I hope Allah (SWT) has accepted our Hajj and the Hajj of other Muslims.

We returned home feeling content and peaceful.

From the time of deciding and preparing for Hajj to the time of returning home, a tremendous impact is made on the hearts and minds of pilgrims.

Words sometimes fail to describe the spiritual relationship, a pilgrim develops with Allah (SWT) upon performing the Hajj.

At every step the pilgrim witnesses the imprints left by those who sacrificed everything of their own in submission to the will of Allah (SWT).

It is my earnest prayer that may Allah (SWT) provide an opportunity to all Muslims to perform Hajj and visit the Holy City of Makkah.

Remember: you read it first at coastweek.com !

Hajj 2009 - A Unique And Humbling Experience

2009-11-27T11:50:00.001-05:00

HAJJ: A Unique And
Humbling Experience

Madinah is a picturesque city where the buildings
reflect both modern and classic Arabic architecture

PART ONE OF A TWO PART SPECIAL REPORT BY RAMZAN SHEIKH

Coastweek -- Labayk Allahuma labayk.

Labayk la shareeka laka labayk.

Innal hamda wannimata laka wal mulk.

La shareeka lak.

Here I am at your service, oh Lord, Here I am.

Here I am. No partner do you have. Here I am.

Truly, the praise and the favor are yours, and the dominion.

No partner do you have.

Hajj is a sojourn that every Muslim wishes to make at least once during his lifetime.

Some are lucky and achieve this mission early in life.

The decision to go for Hajj was indeed a dream come true for my wife, Hafiza, who had for the last few years trying to persuade me to take her to this spiritual journey.

Many friends have been to Hajj and they had described to me their experience.

The description varied, but most of them expressed dissatisfaction with the Hajj agencies.

They were cramped in a normal size room with 8-10 people with one toilet and they had to walk long distances on hills to reach the Haram (Sacred Mosque) during their stay in Makkah.

I had no desire to suffer in the hands of such agencies.

I therefore, asked my son Shaahid Sheikh to make some enquiries, in search of a reliable, reputable and experienced Hajj agency.

His search revealed that Saudi government has improved substantially the facilities and also action is taken against those lacking in providing promised services, if complaints are registered with the appropriate Saudi authorities.

After substantial research Shaahid selected a Hajj operator from South Africa with good reputation and the choice of quality hotels and excellent locations.

One evening during an informal get together at Shahid Butt's residence, the topic of Hajj crept up and my son gave a detailed description of his findings.

Shahid Butt immediately confirmed to join us with his wife.

The packages were selected and arrangements finalized with the agents who were totally responsible for our entire trip from the time we landed in Medina and departed from Jeddah.

On our arrival at the Madinah Airport , we were a bit disappointed to find that no one from the group was present to receive us.

After a long wait and few telephone calls, he finally turned up.

When we expressed our annoyance at his irresponsibility, he was impolite, unapologetic and arrogant.

However, exhausted, we were happy to be ushered to Hotel Moven Pic, located opposite Al Masjid an Nabwi, the Prophet's Mosque, and were provided with excellent rooms facing the mosque.

At the news of the airport mishap, Mr. Hassan Panday, a very pleasant young man, a director of the tour group, accompanied by his father Imam Yusuf Panday extremely polite gentleman came to see us at the hotel and apologized for the inconvenience and unpleasant behaviour of his representative.

However, he assured us he will personally see that we perform Hajj comfortably and without any further inconvenience.

He also arranged for us to be together with a select group of 16 people and assigned a religious guide to assist us with all Hajj rituals.

MADINAH

Madinah is a picturesque city where the buildings reflect both modern and classic Arabic architecture.

We prayed in the magnificent Mosque of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and visited his tomb and of his companions Abubakr Siddique and Omar Farook.

We were taken to Janat-ul-Baqee where there are unmarked graves of the Prophet's family and successors.

We were shown the mountain that has a cave where Prophet Muhammed (SAW) retreated for inspiration and where the Quran was revealed to him.

It was at the foot of this mountain, Shuhda Uhad, where many of the battles took place between the early followers of Islam and the Prophet's tribe who opposed him.

It was a privilege to pray in Qubaa Masjid, Islam's first mosque.

After seven days stay in Madina, we set off to Makkah dressed up in white unstitched pieces of white cloth called Ihram.

Ihram is the symbol of purity and discarding of evil and first step of performing Umrah or Hajj or both.

It also indicates the equality of all people, rich or poor, black or white, in the eyes of Allah (SWT).

Our tour operator arranged GMC cars for our group to take us from Madina to Makkah.

MAKKAH

When we reached Makkah, we checked in at the Elaf Ajyad Hotel, located close to the Haram.

As we arrived at the Kaaba, we saw an amazing sight.

The volume of people doing the Tawaf is beyond imagination.

We thought by night time the numbers will be smaller, but it does not seem so.

We joined the Tawaf reciting behind our guide, who systematically kept pushing us close to the Kaaba and succeeded in easing our way in.

It took us over three hours to complete the Tawaf and did the "SA'IE" between the two hills of Al safa and Al marwah.

We cut our hair and returned to our hotel.

We were now free to remove our Ihram.

Hajj requires visits to five venues, spread over an area of 10km.

Pilgrims are required to travel a few kilometers out east from Makkah towards Mina.

The crowd control is miraculous as millions of pilgrims operate within a limited area.

They stay three nights in Mina, in air conditioned marquees with excess to modern toilets and bathrooms.

JAMARAT COMPLEX

Our senior scholar and guide Imam Yusuf Panday after the Hajj orientation seminar took us for a tour of the tent village and a walk thru the newly built Jamarat Complex to get familiarized in advance with the surroundings, the route to the Jamarat and the location of our tents.

A complete block of the tent complex was totally and entirely reserved exclusively for our group and was located close to the Jamarat Complex.

SEE ALSO:

PART TWO - HAJJ: A UNIQUE AND HUMBLING EXPERIENCE

Remember: you read it first at coastweek.com !

Hajj 2009 - Two million Muslims prepare to stone devil at Hajj

2009-11-26T15:41:00.001-05:00

Two million Muslims prepare to stone devil at Hajj

Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:41pm EST

]

1 of 7

More News

By Souhail Karam

MUZDALIFA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Some two million Muslims headed to Muzdalifa on Thursday after spending the day at the plain of Arafat to prepare to cast stones at the devil in the most dangerous part of the annual haj pilgrimage.

Bright weather greeted the pilgrims after heavy rain hit the nearby city of Jeddah, gateway to Mecca, on Wednesday. Some 77 people were killed, none of them pilgrims, most of whom were swept away by currents and drowned, state television said.

At Muzdalifa, the pilgrims will collect pebbles to throw at walls at the Jamarat Bridge on three occasions over the next three days in an act that symbolizes the rejection of the devil's temptations.

The bridge has been the scene of a number of deadly stampedes -- 362 people were crushed to death there in 2006 in the worst haj tragedy since 1990.

Saudi authorities have made renovations to ease the flow of pilgrims at the bridge, adding an extra level so that pilgrims have four platforms from which to throw stones.

The fittest chose to walk the distance of about 3 km (2 miles) to Muzdalifa on a special highway joining the sites while others clung to any form of transportation they could find.

Young Saudis sped around on motorbikes looking for customers in a hurry and seeking to avoid the congested traffic.

Aisha Mennan, 63, from Morocco, managed a smile as she sat against a wall waiting for a bus. "I just cried and cried while I stood and prayed in Mount Arafat. You really feel something special as if you are standing before the Almighty," she said.

"Now I can die in peace. My two sons and three daughters have been saving for years to send me here and when the money was ready I had to wait another three years before I got picked by a ballot. I'm very lucky to be here," said Mennan.

In Mecca, pilgrims flocked to Arafat to pray until sunset. They set up tents on a plain, squatted on the side of the road in shelters or stayed at the nearby Namira mosque.

About 1.6 million pilgrims have come from abroad for the haj, the world's largest regular religious gathering and a duty for all Muslims to perform at least once if possible. Many wait for years to get a visa under a strict quota system.

The haj marks sites that Islamic tradition says Prophet Ibrahim -- biblical patriarch Abraham -- visited in Mecca and that Prophet Mohammad established as a pilgrim route 14 centuries ago after removing pagan idols from Mecca.

Islam is now embraced by a quarter of the world's population.

Wednesday's rainfall, the heaviest the desert country has seen in years, prevented thousands of people from getting to Mecca from Jeddah, Saudi haj organizers said.

"God gave us a reprieve from the rainfall on the most important day of haj. It shows his immense clemency," Indonesian pilgrim Abdulwadood Asegaf said.

"We are going to avoid going up the Mount Arafat this time because it is too muddy," he added.

"The rain was a blessing from God. We are now going to pray to beg for God's forgiveness and mercy, for the good of our children and of all Muslims," said Egyptian pilgrim Nasser Abu Ahmed.

Nigerian businessman Mustafa Abu Bakr said Muslims from different parts of the world and different walks of life renew their allegiance to God in Arafat.

"We will pray for world peace," he said.

Authorities have reported none of the problems that have marred the haj in previous years such as fires, hotel collapses, police clashes with protesters and stampedes.

GTA Eid Festival - CNE, Toronto - Eid ul Adha - Friday November 27, 2009

2009-11-26T11:40:00.002-05:00

Buy your carnival passes online online today!

GTA Eid Festival - Eid Al-Adha - November 27, 2009

Download the Eid Al-Adha 2009 flyer now!

Date, Location and Parking

Eid Al-Adha Festival will take place at the CNE on Friday, November 27 (see details)

24 Years of Tradition

The Muslim Association of Canada has held the largest Eid Festivals in Canada for the last 24 years in the GTA ...

Festival Program and Admission

Free admission to a spectacular day of celebration including a carnival with many fun-filled rides, shows, sport tournaments and a variety of international cuisines.

Festival Outreach

As part of the spirit of Eid MAC believes in giving back to community. Get involved in our Food Drive and Family Sponsorship.

24 Years of Tradition

The Eid Festivals are celebrations of the two major Muslim holidays: Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. The Festivals are full day events starting with a large congregational prayer, followed by a day of family fun and entertainment.
The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) has held the largest Eid Festivals in Canada for the last 24 years in the GTA. Last year the Eid Festivals were held at the Rogers Center and Direct Energy Center. The Eid Festivals offer spectacular celebrations including a carnival of with many fun-filled rides, shows, sport tournaments and a variety of international cuisines.
Many businesses come together in our unique bazaar to showcase their products and services to the community. The Muslim Association of Canada would like to invite you to join this grand celebration that has become a fabric of Ontario's heritage and Toronto's multicultural mosaic. The Event has had over 10,000 attendees come together to celebrate Eid which is an amazing sight for anyone to witness. The Festival provides a unique oppurtunity for your children to experience a true sense of Eid.

To read more on the Muslim Association of Canada visit out website www.macnet.ca

Date, Location and Parking

Location:

Prayer - Queen Elizabeth Building

Carnival - Better Living Centre

Date:

The Festival will take place on Eid Al-Adha - Friday, 27 of November. See you there!!

Directions:

By Car:
The Canadian National Exhibition is located near the heart of downtown Toronto on the shore of Lake Ontario. Take the Toronto bound Queen Elizabeth Way or Lakeshore Boulevard and follow the signs to the CNE/Exhibition Place.

Go Transit:
Take the Lakeshore GO Train to the Exhibition station. GO Trains on the Lakeshore line take you right to the CNE gates.

TTC:
From Union Subway Station: 509 Harbourfront Streetcar West
From Bathurst Subway Station: 511 Bathurst Streetcar South
From Dufferin Subway Station: 29 Dufferin Bus South

Parking:

Parking is available for $12 east of the Better Living Centre and North of the Queen Elizabeth Centre

Festival Program and Admission

Admission:

The event is free admission for everyone! This is a special celebration for your family and the community at large and MAC would like to ensure that is accessible to everyone across the GTA. Please note that carnival passes and food will be sold.

Festival Program:

08:30 am - Doors Open
09:30 am - Main Prayer (Queen Elizabeth Building)
11:00 am - Second Prayer (Queen Elizabeth Building)
11:00 am - Carnival opens
12:30 pm - Dhuhr prayer in Prayer Building (Better Living Centre)
01:00 pm - Children's show on the Stage
03:00 pm - Asr prayer in Prayer Building
03:30 pm - Halal Meat show and demo on the Stage
05:00 pm - Carnival closes

Hajj 2009 - video - Mecca undergoes expansion project

2009-11-26T10:26:00.001-05:00

Watch on youtube.com

Mecca undergoes expansion project - 24 Nov 09

Every year, millions of Muslims gather to perform the Hajj in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, where the city's Grand Mosque overflows with pilgrims as many more clamor for space outside the mosque's walls.

It's a reality that Saudi authorities are hoping to change with an ambitious expansion and renovation project that is underway across the city.

But expanding and renovating the Grand Mosque and the citys infrastructure will be a challenge to do without disrupting what Muslims believe to be the holiest of spiritual journeys.

Ayman Mohyeldin takes a look at some of the plans.

Category: News & Politics

Tags:

aljazeera al jazeera mecca saudi arabia hajj ayman mohyeldin muslims expansion kaba kaaba

Hajj 2009 in pictures

2009-11-26T10:22:00.001-05:00

Annual Hajj piligrimage 26-11-2009

More than two million Muslims gather for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Islam's holy city of Mecca. The haj is one of the world's biggest displays of mass religious devotion and a duty for Muslims who can perform it. Photos: Reuters and AFP

Hajj 2009 - Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat

2009-11-26T10:16:00.005-05:00

Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat as 2m brave heat outside Mecca

Muslim pilgrims gathering at Mount Arafat today. Photograph: Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

Two million or more Muslim pilgrims braved scorching heat outside Mecca today to pray for forgiveness in the final stage of the annual hajj pilgrimage – the world's largest religious gathering.

Wednesday's driving rain, Saudi Arabia's worst in a decade, gave way to blazing sunshine as the faithful climbed Mount Arafat, the mountain of mercy, the high point of the four-day ritual.

Saudi officials reported 48 people killed in flooding in the west of the kingdom, adding to this year's worries about swine flu and the permanent threat of deadly stampedes like the one that killed 350 people in 2006.

Arrangements for the "duyouf al-rahman" – guests of a merciful God – involve organisation and logistics on a vast scale. This year 1.6 million of the faithful have come from abroad. The biggest foreign contingent is from Indonesia – 200,000 – while India is sending 164,000 and Pakistan 140,000.

Pilgrims will spend the day at Arafat in prayer, chanting: "Here I am in answer to Thy call, Lord, here I am. There is no other God but Thee. Praise be unto Thee."

Later they will move to Muzdalifa to collect pebbles to stone a set of walls in a ritual that represents defiance of the devil and commitment to resisting temptation. The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day festival of Eid al-Adha (feast of the sacrifice), starting tomorrow.

Mount Arafat, at the centre of the plains of Mina, was the scene of the Prophet Muhammad's final sermon 1,377 years ago. The day of Arafat is considered one of the most sacred days of the Islamic calendar.

The hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and it is the duty of every able-bodied Muslim to perform it at least once in a lifetime. In recent years the Saudi authorities have carried out extensive renovations to ease the flow of pilgrims at the Grand Mosque and the Jamarat bridge, where the stoning ritual takes place.

Hajj 2009 - Video - Millions in Mecca for Hajj Despite Rain

2009-11-25T16:45:00.000-05:00

TARIC Islamic Centre, North York: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

2009-11-22T10:43:00.002-05:00

		Eid ul Adha Salaat
		Friday 27th November 2009 8 AM & 9 AM

TARIC Islamic Centre

99 Beverly Hills Dr.
North York, Ontario,
M3L 1A2, Canada
Phone: (416) 245 5675
Fax: (416) 245 3700

http://www.taric.org/

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Waterloo Masjid: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

2009-11-22T10:38:00.001-05:00

Dhul-Hijjah & Eid ul-Adha waterloomasjid.com/eid

The moon for the month of Dhul-Hijjah has been sighted so the first of Dhul-Hijjah is on Wednesday, Nov 18th.

Hence, the Day of Arafat will be on Thursday, Nov 26th; and Eid ul-Adha will be on Friday, Nov 27th insha'Allah.

More information about Eid Prayers time and location will be updated shortly.

Virtues of the first 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah:

Ibn 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allaah (s) said, "There is no day more honorable in Allaah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest : Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days]." [Reported by Ahmad]

Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allaah (s) said, "There are no days more loved to Allaah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr]." [Reported by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: On the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul-Hijja), the Messenger (s) stood in between the Jamrat during his Hajj and said, "This is the greatest Day (i.e. 10th of Dhul-Hijjah)." The Messenger (s) started saying repeatedly, "O Allaah! Be Witness (I have conveyed Your Message)." He then bade the people farewell. The people said, "This is Hajjat-al-Wada." [Bukhari]

Fasting on the Day of Arafah:

Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (s) said, "Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it." [This is related by "the group," except for al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi]

Hafsah reported, "There are five things that the Messenger (s) never abandoned: fasting the day of 'Ashurah, fasting the [first] 10 [days of Dhul-Hijjah], fasting 3 days of every month and praying two rak'ah before the dawn prayer." [This is related by Ahmad and an-Nasa'i]

Waterloo Masjid

213 Erb St. West, Waterloo,
ON, Canada N2L 1V6 ,
Tel: (519) 886-8470
Telephone: (519) 886-8470
http://www.waterloomasjid.com/

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Noor ul Islam, Barrie Mosque: Eid ul Adha schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

2009-11-22T10:34:00.001-05:00

EID PRAYER on 27 Nov 09 ..... TAKBIR at 8:30AM .... Prayer at 9:00 AM

Noor-ul-Islam Ontario - Barrie Mosque

155 Ferris Lane
Barrie, ON,
Telephone: (705) 812-0014
Email: barrie-mosque@rogers.com
http://99.239.79.48/masjid/
www.barrie-mosque.ca

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Islamic Foundation of Toronto: Eid ul Adha schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 200

2009-11-22T10:30:00.001-05:00

Eid-Ul-Adha

Hilal Committee of GTA is pleased to announce that moon of Zul-Hijjah has been sighted and therefore November 18, 2009 will be 1st of Zul-Hijjah. Accordingly, Eid-Ul-Adha will be celebrated on Friday, November 27, 2009

Eid-Ul-Adha - Salah Timings

First Salah - 8:00 a.m.

Second Salah - 9:30 a.m.

Islamic Foundation of Toronto

441 Nugget Avenue,
Scarborough, Ontario
M1S 5E1
Tel: 416-321-0909
Fax: 416-321-1995
Email: info@islamicfoundation.ca
Website: www.islamicfoundation.ca

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Masjid ul Furqaan and Islamic Centre: Daffah Thobes / Aseel Thobes / Abayas

2009-11-22T10:23:00.002-05:00

Great Gift Ideas (Daffah/Aseel/Abayas)

Just in Time for 'Eed
Go to www.troid.org/store today

Daffah XL Thobes (top-tier, cuff-less)
Aseel L Thobes (beige/grey)
Emeratee Customs (hand-stitched, wide-fit, various colours)
Head to Toe Abayas (large sizes)

Masjidul-Furqaan & Islaamic Centre

874-A Weston Rd.
Toronto, ON. Canada
M6N 3R6
Phone: 416.243.5320
http://www.troid.org/

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Masjid ul Furqaan, Toronto: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

2009-11-22T10:19:00.003-05:00

'Eedul-Adhaa, Friday 27th Nov.

Salaatul-'Eed will be at 9:30AM sharp at 874-A Weston Rd.

Please arrive early, parking in designated public parking only, and be very patient and prepared to walk 5-10 minutes if there is no nearby parking. Parking is available all along Weston rd for 100's of metres. Please see below for a parking map.

A parking map has been added to the Centre main page (http://www.troid.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=276). The colour-coded map shows where you can park and for how long. This may be useful if you are visiting from afar for events etc.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 November 2009 )

Masjidul-Furqaan & Islaamic Centre

874-A Weston Rd.
Toronto, ON. Canada
M6N 3R6
Phone: 416.243.5320
http://www.troid.org/

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Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT), Toronto: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

2009-11-22T10:12:00.001-05:00

Eid mubarak

Eid prayer: 9:00 am, Friday November 27
Khateeb: Shaikh Ahmad Kutty

The Saudi Supreme Court has announced that November 18 is the first day of Dhul-Hijjah. Accordingly, the day of Arafat (the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah) falls on Thursday November 26. Eid Al-Adha is therefore on Friday November 27.

The IIT's observance of eid is determined by the day of Arafat (when the pilgrims on hajj gather in the plain of Arafat) and is in accordance with the position of the Fiqh Council of North America, ISNA, and other organisations. For more information please refer to the Fiqh Council's statement.

Some suggestions for eid:

arrive early to avoid parking issues (and carpool if possible)
make wudhu before leaving home
recite takbiraat on your way to the mosque and on your way home
bring a dish of sweets or finger food to share with others

Fasting is especially mentioned as a most meritorious act of devotion to be performed in the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah; this is true of those who are not performing Hajj. According to some traditions, by fasting these days, one is accorded a tremendous opportunity to gain repentance and forgiveness. If, however, a person cannot afford to fast all nine days, he may at least fast the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, which is known as the Day of `Arafah. However, it is also worth mentioning that while fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah is recommended, it is forbidden to fast during the days of the `Eid. This prohibition is not limited to the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah; rather it extends also to the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth, for all of these are days of festivities and celebrations.

Article on the benefits of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah by Shaikh Ahmad Kutty

Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT)

1630 Neilson Road
Scarborough, ON
M1X 1S3
Phone: 416-335-9173
Fax: 416-335-9208
E-mail: iit@islam.ca
http://www.islam.ca/

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Islamic Society of York Region, Richmond Hill: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

2009-11-22T10:07:00.002-05:00

Eid al-Adha is expected to be on Friday November 27, 2009. Insha’Allah

At the Islamic Society of York Region there will be three Salats.

First Salat: 08:00 am
Second Salat: 09:30 am
Third Salat: 11:00 am

Since we are into cold weather, road conditions are quite slippery. We urge everyone to take extra care when traveling, especially once you reach the Centre. Please allow extra time for getting to the Centre.

Islamic Society of York Region

1380 Stouffville Rd
Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 3S3
Phone:905-887-8913 / 647 476 3776
Email: crescent@inforamp.net
Website: www.isyr.org

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Masjids / Mosques in Toronto (GTA) Canada

ISNA Islamic Centre of Canada - Eid ul Adha 2009 family

Eid ul Adha 2009 - Qurbani meat collection and distribution - Brampton Islamic Centre - Sun. Nov. 29, 2009 4-8pm

Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) Annual Winter Dinner - Thurs. Dec. 24, 2009

Annual winter dinner - Thursday December 24

Eid ul Adha 2009 - Qurbani meat collection and distribution - Islamic Foundation of Toronto (Sun. Nov. 29, 1-7pm)

Direct broadcast from the Grand Mosque in Mecca - live video (and audio during salat)

البث المباشر من المسجد الحرام بمكة المكرمة Direct broadcast from the Grand Mosque in Mecca (click on the

flash icon for real-time view)

Hajj 2009 - VIDEO: Eid ul Adha salat in Mecca (Makkah: Haram Sharif)

Hajj 2009 - Hajj pilgrim leaders renew faith

Hajj pilgrim leaders renew faith

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Download the Eid Al-Adha 2009 flyer now!

Date, Location and Parking

24 Years of Tradition

Date, Location and Parking

Location:

Date:

Directions:

Parking:

Festival Program and Admission

Admission:

Festival Program:

Hajj 2009 - video - Mecca undergoes expansion project

Mecca undergoes expansion project - 24 Nov 09

Hajj 2009 in pictures

Annual Hajj piligrimage 26-11-2009

Hajj 2009 - Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat

Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat as 2m brave heat outside Mecca

Hajj 2009 - Video - Millions in Mecca for Hajj Despite Rain

TARIC Islamic Centre, North York: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

Waterloo Masjid: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

Noor ul Islam, Barrie Mosque: Eid ul Adha schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

Islamic Foundation of Toronto: Eid ul Adha schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 200

Masjid ul Furqaan and Islamic Centre: Daffah Thobes / Aseel Thobes / Abayas

Masjid ul Furqaan, Toronto: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT), Toronto: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009

Eid mubarak

Islamic Society of York Region, Richmond Hill: Eid ul Adha salat schedule - Fri. Nov. 27, 2009