At least 100 Muslims from Rwanda on June 6 travelled with national carrier, RwandAir, to the holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, for the annual pilgrimage.
It was the first time they travelled with a direct flight to Mecca.
They are set to return home on June 24, on another direct flight, after spending almost three weeks.
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In the Islamic faith, the annual pilgrimage earns a man the title of Hajj while a woman is referred to as Hajjat.
Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca to perform Hajj – the sacred Muslim pilgrimage.
Hajj is a spiritual, emotional and physical challenge that tests the patience and temperament of the pilgrim.
It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam alongside Shahadah (Oath to Allah & Muhammad PBUH), Salat (prayer), Zakat (almsgiving), and Sawm (Ramadan fasting).
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Hajj is obligatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
Hajj became obligatory for every able-bodied Muslim adult who has the financial means to do after Prophet Muhammad’s "farewell pilgrimage” in 632 AD.
Every year, between two and three million people participate in the pilgrimage.
"This is the second time to Mecca. The first time I went there to pray for myself and I go back to pray for my parent after eight years so that she rests in peace. We have to pray for better life, connect with God and pray for people in need,” said Hajjat Farida Ayinkamiye.
According to Sheikh Murangwa Jamilu who led the delegation of the Rwandan Muslim community heading to Mecca, they were trained for two months before leaving.
Ernest Mushi, the acting Chief Operations Officer at RwandAir, said that Muslims from Rwanda will now have to spend only four hours to reach Jeddah City in Saudi Arabia with a direct flight, something not done before.
"It is a pride of RwandAir to facilitate Muslims from Rwanda in terms of shortening time to reach Saudi Arabia for annual pilgrimage. Our embassy is also ready to welcome them,” he said.
The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Musa Sindayigaya, commended RwandAir for facilitating direct flight for Muslims from Rwanda to Saudi Arabia, explaining that they used to take longer hours in a connecting flight through Dubai.
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"It is the first time to travel with direct flight to Jeddah city. It is going to take only four hours. Previously pilgrims had to connect through Dubai which is six hours from Kigali and then from Dubai to Jeddah which takes more three hours,” he noted.
"We urged Muslim pilgrims to be united, avoid conflicts and pray for Muslim community members and leadership, and the country in general,” he said.
Sindayigaya reiterated his priorities during his tenure. These include the unity of Muslims, development projects for the Muslim community to be self-reliant, as well good governance and accountability.