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Every year, I listen to the Hajj sermon with great interest. The message of Hajj deeply inspires me, as it renews my commitment to religious harmony and strengthens my belief that spiritual growth, sacrifice, service, humility and compassion are values shared by all religions.
Whenever I watch scenes of Hajj on television and witness millions of pilgrims performing this sacred duty, one thought repeatedly comes to mind: this magnificent gathering is not merely a ritual for followers of a specific faith; it carries a universal message for all humanity.
In my view, Hajj remains one of the most extraordinary human gatherings in the world. It is a place where distinctions of race, language, nationality, colour, wealth, influence and geography lose significance. Millions of people wear the same simple dress, move towards one spiritual objective and gather around one sacred centre. This powerful image reinforces an undeniable fact that all persons are connected by shared humanity and moral values.
In this regard, the Farewell Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), delivered more than fourteen centuries ago, continues to be a guiding light. “No white person is superior to a black person, nor is a black person superior to a white person, except by piety and good action” still carries remarkable relevance in today’s divided 21st-century world.
Another beautiful aspect of Hajj is the philosophy of sacrificing to God what is most beloved to us. Thousands of years ago, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) made the ultimate decision to sacrifice his beloved son Prophet Ismail (pbuh) in obedience to God’s command. Both father and son demonstrated extraordinary faith and devotion. However, God Almighty replaced the sacrifice with an animal, transforming this act into an eternal symbol of submission and trust.
Today, millions of Muslims across the world follow this act of sacrifice during Eidul Azha in remembrance of this timeless lesson. As someone coming from a Hindu religious and cultural tradition, I do not find the philosophy of sacrifice unfamiliar. Ancient South Asian civilisation and Hindu teachings also place great emphasis on renunciation, selflessness and devotion. Concepts such as Yagya (sacred offering), Daan (charity), and Tapasya (spiritual discipline) encourage rising above ego, desires and personal interests in pursuit of becoming better human beings. Today, as our world becomes increasingly shaped by power politics, social division, economic inequality and intolerance, the holy occasion of Hajj emphasises that true success does not come from dominating others but from overcoming one’s own ego, selfishness and attachment to worldly status.
In my view, Hajj is not merely a religious obligation; it is also a platform for global dialogue, mutual respect and cultural understanding. Pilgrims from different countries interact, learn about one another’s languages and experiences, and realise how much they share despite differences. Watching people from entirely different backgrounds dressed alike, praying together and sharing meals teaches lessons of discipline, community service and brotherhood that even many modern educational institutions fail to impart. I also believe that hosting millions of pilgrims each year is an extraordinary administrative achievement by the Saudi government. As in previous years, Saudi Arabia has continued to invest in technology, digital services, transportation networks, healthcare, crowd management and infrastructure to facilitate pilgrims as effectively as possible and improve their experience.
Personally, I know many Pakistanis who spend years saving every possible rupee with the hope of performing Hajj at least once in their lifetime. However, rising inflation, increasing travel costs and mounting economic pressures mean that for many, this cherished dream remains unfulfilled. I would therefore once again urge our policymakers to seriously consider restoring affordable sea travel options for Hajj. With Pakistan connected to the Arabian Sea through Karachi, such initiatives may offer more accessible opportunities for pilgrims, just like Hajis in our region, including India and Bangladesh, are having, while also creating sufficient time for spiritual learning and preparation during the journey.
Hajj Mubarak to all those who performed Hajj this year.
The writer is a member of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council. He tweets/posts @RVankwani
