Awqaf ministry holds seminar on Haj preparations

The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs held on Wednesday a seminar on Haj and the preparations prior to performing the rites of the fifth pillar of Islam. The event featured speeches of members of Qatari Haj Mission for this year by addressing Sharia, medical and administrative aspects. Sheikh Mohamed Yahya Taher underscored the importance of self-preparations prior to performing this prescribed pillar and gave an example of what happened during Covid-19 pandemic that precluded many Muslims from performing their rituals, including illnesses that could potentially prevent Muslims from performing this pillar of Islam. He elucidated that Haj wipes out all the previous sins, and is the way for absolution and forgiveness of sins to enter Heaven. Dr Mishaal al-Misifi spoke about the medical aspect and the physical ability of the pilgrim, because this duty requires a great physical effort, so he called on all pilgrims to practise walking before travelling so that their bodies get used to the muscular effort, and for those with chronic diseases to follow up their health condition with their doctor until the time of travel, and that they take their medication to suffice them for the duration of the rituals. He talked about the importance of preventing the dangers of extreme heat (especially since the Haj season comes this year in the hottest summer months), and sunstroke, heat stress and muscle spasms by using sunscreens and umbrellas and drinking a lot of water. He also explained the symptoms and how to deal with them with calling the 24-hour hotline and going to the nearest medical centre. He also warned against gastro-intestinal diseases resulting from unhealthy and unusable foods and low or high blood sugar, alerting the need to follow up with the attending physician to know the appropriate doses and times before travelling to the Holy Land.