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Haj selfie craze sparks debate
Thousands of Muslims posed in front of holy sites for a selfie during the Haj, angering some conservative clerics and sparking a debate over legitimacy of such actions during the annual pilgrimage.
Mecca: Thousands of Muslims posed in front of holy sites for a selfie during the Haj, angering some conservative clerics and sparking a debate over legitimacy of such actions during the annual pilgrimage.
After being named the word of the year, selfie craze made it to the Haj with pilgrims seen snapping photos of themselves with the Kaaba in background or other holy sites as mementos of their trip but the phenomenon has been criticised by some scholars while some others see nothing wrong in it.
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Many of the pilgrims seen clicking selfies were from the sub-continent.
"A lot of pilgrims are using cell phones for selfies and sending it across to India by Whatsapp and Facebook," Indian Consul General B S Mubarak told PTI.
Asked whether it was a healthy trend, Mubarak said, "It is up to the pilgrims. Everyone likes to retain their memorable times in life."
A total of 136,020 Indians took part in this year's Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam that should be performed at least once in lifetime by every Muslim who is financially and physically capable. The selfie craze this year has sparked heated debates on the issue of 'Haj selfies' among scholars and pilgrims. Muhamed Mizic, a pilgrim from Bosnia said, termed it as "totally unacceptable", saying pilgrims should not indulge in such acts as it spoils the spiritual environment and causes hindrances for many others performing the rituals during Haj.
Indian carried father on his shoulders to Haj
Dubai: An Indian man carried his 80-year-old father on his shoulders throughout the Haj rituals instead of using a wheelchair because he found it better and comfortable, a news report has revealed.Mohammed Rasheed, who is in his 50s, said he could have brought a wheelchair to transport his father but could not find a better and more comfortable means of transport than his own shoulders. "I could have pushed him on a wheelchair or a cart but my shoulders were more comfortable and convenient to him," he was quoted as saying by the Saudi Gazette.
