An-Nur Children s Hajj rituals and Eid celebration

Teacher: Anar
Date: Oct, 2014

What a blessed and fruitful month it is! Teachers and Children had been so busy to
gain more knowledge about Islam. This is a huge opportunity for me as a teacher as
well as for children to learn more about Hajj and Eid Al-Adha. Before the start of the
haj season, Teacher Maysoon called for a planning meeting in which we discussed
the best and practical way to teach our lovely children about Haj rituals and Eid
celebrations

Children were introduced to the five pillars of Islam every day during mat time
explaining to the children that going to Hajj once in a life time is one of the basic
principle of Islam. Najma, Aya, Sameena and Aziza were well aware of the five
pillars of Islam rcallig what they have learned during Ramadan. Kamila, Ebado knew
that going to hajj is one of the principles of Islam. The Nasheed of "I am Muslim"
helped the children memorise the five principles of Islam much easier.

Every day on mat time, teachers systematically introduced the rituals of the hajj. We
told them we need to walk around the Kaaba seven times and make Tawaf. We
introduced what is Kabaa. We told story about Ibrahim alaihisalam and his son
Ismaeel alaihisalam built the kaaba following Allahs orders. Kabaa also is known as
house of Allah. To reinforce this knowledge, we offered lots of art activities such as
colouring the Kabaa; making Kabaa with card box and painting it in black, etc. while
interacting with the children and offering new knowledge every time. For example:
While teacher started discussion about who built the kabaa , Aziza said, "I dreamed
about going to hajj" She also mentioned about Soffia her sister. Then Kamila told
that her grandma is in the hajj. It was really nice to see that children were very
confident to share in the conversation and relate to the subject. This shows a sense
of belonging and connection between home and school. In Te whriki (1996) stated
that Children develop awareness of connections between event and experiences
with and beyond the early childhood setting.

Children have been practicing walking around the Kabaa seven times and also have
been memorizing the Talibiyah. They also learned about story of Zam zam water.
Also walking around the two hills Marwa and Safa performing Sai, then travelling to
Mina sitting in tents reading Qura, This was followed by going to Arafat mountain
to read Quran, make Dua and ask Allahs forgiveness.

Children were also

introduced to why we throw seven pebbles on Satan (Shaitan) after collecting them
from Muzdalifa. Children enjoyed this part and were excited when we talked about
Satn being our enemy. Once teacher mentioned about Satan, Aziza always said to
teacher and her friends that Satan is bad, Satan goes to hell fire. That is correct
Aziza, well done! Aziza shared her knowledge with the other children which lead to
lots of conversation.

After practicing Hajj rituals many times, finally the day of hajj performance came and
children were very excited.

Here comes the children sitting in

the airplane with full intention to
travel to Makka to perform Haj

Boys wore their white ihram and girls wore

their hijabs ready to start the Haj journey.

1. Make tawaf Al Qodoom (arrival) by walking around kabaa seven times saying:
Here I am O Allaah, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no
partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have
no partner.

"Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La

shareeka laka. Labbayk. Innal-hamda wanni'mata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak."

2. Children walk between the Safa and Marwa also seven times Sai

3. Children pretend spend the night in tents at Mina, reading Quran and
supplicating to Allah.

4. After leaving Mina, Children climbed their fort pretending it is Mount

Arafat. They stayed on Arafat in devotion asking Allah for forgiveness
of any previous sins

5. Children picking up the pebbles from Muzdalifa and re-enacting how

prophet Ibraheem also threw stones at Satan who tried to convince him
not to follows Allahs commands.

6. Children also pretended to cut hair as a ritual of finishing main steps of

Haj tahallol and they colour the lamb pictures for pretend sacrifice
Odhiya.

7. Children concluded the Hajj with Tawaf Al Ifada then Tawaf Al

Wida(farewell), going around the Kaba seven times then they had
Zamzam water before leaving Makkah.

.
After completing their Hajj ritual, The excitement day of Eidul adha began when
celeberated in An-nur Centre with friends, teachers and family. What an exciting day
it is! Children dressed up very beautifully and wore their smiley and happy faces all
day. Children were enjoyed the yummy foods with friends and enjoyed play in
bouncy castles. The best part for children was the gift and goodie bag that given by
teacher and parents.