1600 Ugandans fly to Mecca for pilgrimage

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Over 1600 Ugandans are heading to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to join millions of Muslims all over the world for pilgrimage this year.

This has been confirmed by Sheikh Zakaria Kyewalyanga, the chairperson of the Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs (UBHA) in a telephone interview with New Vision on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Kyewalyanga said the number of Ugandan pilgrims has substantially increased to 1600 from 1300 last year.

The first batch of pilgrims headed to Mecca last Saturday with the last group expected to fly out on Monday next week.

Supreme Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Galabuzi second from left and Prince Kassim Nakibinge at the flagging of Muslim travelling for Hija at Wandegeya mosque in Kampala. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)

Kyewalyanga attributed the increased number of pilgrims due to early preparations that has allowed many to beat the deadline.

“We started the campaign early and since many are paying in instalments, this allowed them enough time to beat the deadline unlike before and this is going to be the trend. I believe if we maintain this, the number will double next year,” Kyewalyanga said.

Pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslims also known as Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Others are declaration of faith (Shahadah), prayer (Swalah), alms-giving (Zakat) and fasting (Sawm).

Quran chapter three versus 97 states that pilgrimage to Mecca is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the Muslims and that whoever performs Hajj and it is accepted comes out as sinless.

This year, pilgrims paid between $5,000 (about sh19m) and $10,000 (about sh38m) according to Kyewalyanga.

The pilgrims are expected to spend 21 days in Mecca performing different rituals. Performance of Hajj rituals is concluded with the celebration of Idd Adhuha which is slated for June 17 this year.

Flagging off a batch of pilgrims that included Court of Appeal Justice Muzamiru Kibeedi at Wandegeya mosque last Friday, Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the titular head of the Muslim community in the country implored the pilgrims to spare some time and pray for the country.

“I know that you have your own problems that you want to report to Allah but endeavour to also pray for our country to remain peaceful and prosperous,” Nakibinge said.

Nakibinge also urged the pilgrims to focus on the Hajj rituals. “We should pray for God to bless all of us and keep us in peace and remove differences amongst us,” he said.

Flagging off another batch of 95 pilgrims at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in old Kampala last week, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, explained that performing the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and leads a Muslim faithful to attain divine rewards and blessings.

“Pilgrims should ensure that they pay all their debts, clear their Zakah (giving to the poor), and to better utilised their stay in Mecca in devotion rather than indulgence in worldly affairs,” he said.

He also urged private Hajj companies to ensure that those pilgrims who have fully paid and met the requirements for the journey are assisted in fulfilling their Hajj obligations.

“We warn private companies to support pilgrims by all means, UMSC would take strong actions against companies that cheat clients,” he said.

Jeedah Namirembe Nganwa said for years she has been praying to Allah to make the pilgrimage to Mecca but she is glad that finally her prayers have been answered this year.

“Although the fees were high, together with my children, we have managed to clear all the requirements in time,” she said.

According to Sheikh Jawad Mbogo, the founder of the Muslim Museum, Uganda registered the highest number of pilgrims to Mecca in 1977 when over 4,450 Ugandans performed pilgrimage that year.

Sheikh Abdullah Ssekimwanyi is said to be the first Ugandan to make a pilgrimage to Mecca around 1922.

Rituals by pilgrims

On the first day of the pilgrimage, pilgrims begin their Hajj from the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam as it holds the masjid al-Haram, a structure in the middle of the Kaaba that Muslims believe was placed by prophet Ibrahim thousands of years ago.

It is a must for them to circumambulate (walk all the way round) in a counter-clockwise direction to express the devotion of Muslims praying to one God.

Pilgrims then depart for Mina, five kilometres away, where they recite prayers and spend the night in the valley where prophet Ibrahim stoned the devil as he tried to lead him astray.

On day two, the pilgrims make the journey to Mount Arafat, a 70-metre hill which is believed to be where the Prophet Mohammed gave his final sermon.

From Mount Arafat, pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah, south of Mina to pray and collect gravel to perform the last steps of Hajj.

On day three, pilgrims have to stone Jamrat Al Aqabah, the place where the devil is said to have appeared before Prophet Abraham.

Here pilgrims must throw seven gravels one after the other while saying Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest) after each throw and it marks the end of Hajj rituals.

On the fourth day, Idd Adudha is celebrated worldwide while some pilgrims return to the Jamarat to throw seven sets of stones at the three pillars again to cement their intention in the hope that Allah will accept their pilgrimage.