Al-Azhar Distributes 80,000 Copies of a Book on Hajj Rituals to Tourism, Solidarity and Interior Ministry Pilgrims

70 Awqaf preachers accompany Egyptian pilgrims in the Holy Land to answer their questions while performing the rituals

By Akram Medhat

Dr. Hany Shams El-Din, Al-Azhar's official in charge of religious awareness at airports and ports nationwide, said there is communication with the pilgrims, the guests of the Most Merciful, at all of the country's land, sea and air ports, with convoys heading to the airports of Luxor and Borg El Arab in Alexandria, the Red Sea ports and Suez, in addition to those present at Cairo International Airport. Scholars have also been sent to security directorates across the country to sit with pilgrims from the governorates in discussion sessions on how to perform the Hajj rituals easily and smoothly.

Shams El-Din told "Travel Yalla News" that Al-Azhar has printed 80,000 copies of the book "Ma'a Al-Hajij" (With the Pilgrims) by Dr. Mohamed Rabie El-Gohary, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, which were handed over to the Ministries of Tourism, Social Solidarity and Interior to be distributed to every pilgrim upon receiving their bag. The book contains illustrated guidance on the Hajj rituals and includes well-known and frequently asked fatwas on ihram, sewn garments and tawaf, presented in a simplified way to find solutions to any obstacle or mistake, using concepts and words that are easy to understand so as to reach ordinary people.

In a related context, Khaled Salah El-Din Ali, an envoy of the Ministry of Awqaf for raising pilgrims' awareness at Cairo International Airport, said that according to a plan set in advance by the ministry, a specific group of preachers is selected to guide pilgrims at airports or ports, or to accompany them in the Holy Land. They number about 75 preachers, including 8 at Cairo airport, and aim to help overcome obstacles and answer questions and fatwas related to the Hajj rituals, from ihram through tawaf, standing at Arafat and spending the night at Muzdalifah, to the stoning of the Jamarat.

Salah El-Din added that the book "Taysir Al-Hajj" (Making Hajj Easy), prepared by a committee of senior Al-Azhar University professors, is being distributed, explaining the Hajj rituals in a manner that takes ease and tolerance into account.