The Hajj 2023

The Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), which takes place in the last month of the Islamic Calendar. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime – it is one of the fifth pillars of Islam. Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to and perform Hajj in Makkah, modern day Saudi Arabia.

It takes place during the same time each year, in the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah – the twelfth month in the Islamic Calendar. Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts approximately five to six days depending on the sighting of the moon. When the new crescent moon

by Akthar Hussain

is sighted, Muslims around the world welcome in the Three-day festival of Eid al-Adha.

This year the 10 days of Hajj began on Monday 19th June 2023.

Muslims are commanded by Allah (God) to fulfil the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj as relayed in the Holy Qur’an:

“You will enter the Sacred Masjid, God willing, perfectly secure, and you will cut your hair or shorten it (as you fulfil the pilgrimage rituals) there. You will not have any fear. Since He knew what you did not know, He has coupled this with an immediate victory.”

Qur’an | 48:27

The Day of ‘Arafah

The Day of Arafah is on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah. It is one of the most important days during the Hajj.

This year the Day of Arafah fell on Tuesday 27th June 2023.

It was on this day that Allah (God) proclaimed to perfect His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and approved Islam as a way of life for mankind.

God refers to this day in Surah alMaidah Chapter 5 Verse 3 of the Holy Qur’an.

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.

Qur’an | 5:3

The Day of Arafah is also known as the Day of Standing [Yawm AlWaqf], referring to the fact that pilgrims stand in front of their Lord for long periods of time, asking for His Divine Mercy.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"There is no day on which Allah frees people from the fire more so than on the day of ‘Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ‘Arafah), and then He reveals before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking?"

Hadith | Muslim

For those performing Hajj [the pilgrimage], the Day of 'Arafah is the most important day.

Muslims are encouraged to recite the following Dua (Supplication) on the Day of 'Arafah:

“None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.”

The Day of Arafah offers the opportunity to cleanse our hearts and remember our purpose and destination. And good deeds performed on this precious day are like no other.

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Windrush Memorial

June 22 was the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the passengers of the Empire Windrush in the UK. This is an important time not just for the railway but as a society, as it has been mythologised as the beginning of multi-ethnic Britain.

To commemorate this important moment in history, alongside our industry partners (Southwestern Railway, Windrush Commemorative Committee, Great British Railways Transition Team, British Transport Police and our race network, Cultural Fusion), Network Rail organised a memorial and celebratory event at Waterloo this morning. The station has a rich and proud connection as Waterloo was the gateway for thousands of Windrush pioneers who passed through the station on their way to start their new lives across the country.

The service was led by the Railway Chaplain for the Southern region’s Wessex route, Christopher Henley paying homage to the powerful role faith played in building internal resilience for that generation when they came to the UK.

The Windrush generation came to the UK post World War two and helped to rebuild the nation with many of those working on UK infrastructure such as the railway. As part of the ceremony, representatives from across the rail industry laid wreaths and colleagues had an opportunity to talk about some of their lived and shared experiences of family members who were part of the Windrush generation – their courage, challenges they faced and contributions made.

MFN Intersectionality Lead profile Nafisa Nathani

I wanted to join MFN because I do believe it is important to find out more about other faiths and connect with others over our shared values.

My faith and spirituality is important to me in facing adversity, building my internal resilience but also combating Islamophobia.

It is interesting to me though how much religion is not just overlooked but deliberately avoided in the workplace. The truth is that talking about religion in the workplace can be tricky.

It feels personal. It feels messy and something leaders might try and avoid. The sooner we can learn to account for religion in the workplace — with curiosity, intention, and kindness — the better off our workplaces will be.