DAR AL HARB-MICHIGAN: MOSLEM CENTRAL WITHIN THE UNITED STATES WILL CELEBRATE THE END OF HAJJ...

Mid-Mich. Muslims to celebrate pilgrimage: Eid-al-Adha expected to attract up to 1,000
By Kathleen Lavey Lansing State Journal

Mid-Michigan Muslims will observe the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca with a gathering Saturday morning.

Because as many as 1,000 people are expected for the Eid-al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, the event has been moved from the mosque on Harrison Road to Michigan State University's IM West building.

"It overflows," said Mohamed Mahgoub, who's on the public outreach committee of the Islamic Society of Greater Lansing.

Eid-al-Adha concludes the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.

Making a trip to the holy city is one of Islam's five pillars. Others are accepting one God with Mohammed as his prophet, daily prayer, almsgiving and fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

The central figure in the Eid-al-Adha celebration is the prophet Abraham, also recognized by Christians and Jews. Muslims believe that Abraham built the first house of worship, known as the Kaaba, and the hajj commemorates his prayers there.

Maghoub, an engineer, spent seven years living in Saudi Arabia and was able to make two pilgrimages while there. Each pilgrimage takes three days.

"You see people from all the places all over the world," he said. "Everybody is wearing the same thing, just white clothes, and they are all coming all this way for nothing but God. In those three days, you are doing nothing but worshipping God. It is a great experience."

Asad Khan of Okemos made a pilgrimage in 1996.

"You're there, and it overwhelms you," he said. "Those who see it for the first time, sometimes people just break down and cry. "

Khan said it's a religious and emotional experience, as well as a personal one.

"Each one of us would have a different experience," he said.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia, where the holy cities are located, estimate nearly 3 million pilgrims are attending this year's hajj. About 1.6 million are from abroad.

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1) Mid-Mich. Muslims to celebrate pilgrimage: Eid-al-Adha expected to attract up to 1,000