By: Abah Roy
Editorial: Aswinnews.com
The Muslim world has just completed the Hajj pilgrimage in solemn devotion. Pilgrims from across the globe gathered in the Holy Land, donned ihram garments, chanted talbiyah, stood in Arafah, and fulfilled the fifth pillar of Islam. From a technical perspective, this year’s Hajj was deemed a success — orderly, safe, and smooth.
However, a monumental failure has escaped attention — the moral failure of the Muslim ummah.
While millions of Muslims glorified Allah and raised their hands in prayer in Mecca, their brothers and sisters in Gaza raised theirs in agony — wounded, displaced, and dying. The Zionist genocide continues. Babies are martyred, mothers buried under rubble, and resistance fighters relentlessly targeted.
So the question arises: Is this what we call a successful Hajj?
Hajj: Between Ritual and Reality
Hajj is not merely a spiritual ceremony, but the peak of collective Islamic consciousness — about monotheism, brotherhood, and justice. Prophet Ibrahim was not just a symbol of sacrifice but also a symbol of defiance against tyranny.
Then how can Muslims stand on Arafah, invoke the name of Ibrahim, yet allow Gaza to be slaughtered like hunted animals?
Mecca Is Silent, Gaza Screams
Why is there no official condemnation from the Holy Land against Israel’s crimes? Why are sermons in Masjid al-Haram so sanitized from the pain of Palestine?
Have we reduced Hajj to a religious routine stripped of its spirit of struggle?
While Muslim blood in Gaza flows unceasingly, Muslims worldwide are busy uploading selfies of their pilgrimage, with sweet captions and personal prayers — but not a single tear for Gaza.
A Failure of Conscience
The Hajj may be successful in worldly terms — but it fails before the heavens if Muslims care more about hotel amenities than the ruins of mosques and homes in Gaza.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever does not care about the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them.”
(Hadith narrated by al-Hakim)
Are we truly one body — or just one photo frame?
Conclusion: Between Talbiyah and Responsibility
Muslims must awaken to this reality: true Hajj doesn’t end at Mina, Arafah, or the Kaaba. It must continue in the struggle to defend the oppressed — in Gaza, Rohingya, Uyghur, and wherever Islam is trampled.
Without standing with Gaza, Hajj becomes an annual ritual drained of its soul.
Without courage to denounce the oppressor, talbiyah becomes a hollow echo.
Cirebon, June 15, 2025
