ART AND CULTURE.
What is hajj: the pilgrimage that every Muslim must make at least once in his or her life
In Islam, the ḥajj is the traditional pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Mecca; it constitutes the fifth pillar of Islam. The pilgrimage is performed during the Dhū l-Ḥijja which is, in the Islamic calendar, the twelfth month of the year, of 29 or 30 days. In 2023, the pilgrimage is performed in the last days of June (Western calendar).
It is a pilgrimage that every Muslim is obliged to make on a compulsory basis, provided he or she has the means, first of all financial, and then physical. To date, hundreds of thousands of faithful have already celebrated the 'Tawaf of Advent', seven walks around the Kaaba, the black stone cube covered by the kiswa, an Italian silk cloth, embroidered in gold by Saudi artisans.
The significance, for followers of Islam, is to retrace the journey of Ibrahim and Ismail, i.e. Abraham and his son Ishmael in Christian and Jewish traditions.
Discovering the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
In Islam, the ḥajj is the traditional pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Mecca; it constitutes the fifth pillar of Islam. The pilgrimage is performed during the Dhū l-Ḥijja which is, in the Islamic calendar, the twelfth month of the year, of 29 or 30 days. In 2023, the pilgrimage is performed in the last days of June (western calendar).
Discovering the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
It is a pilgrimage that every Muslim is obliged to make, provided they have the means, first of all financial, and then physical. To date, hundreds of thousands of believers have already celebrated the 'Tawaf of Advent', seven walks around the Kaaba, the black stone cube covered by the kiswa, an Italian silk cloth, embroidered in gold by Saudi artisans.
Discovering the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
The significance, for the followers of Islam, is to retrace the journey of Ibrahim and Ismail, i.e. Abraham and his son Ishmael in the Christian and Jewish traditions.
Di Seeley International - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?cur
Discovering the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
The streets of the city of Mina are invaded by pilgrims, coming (this year) from over 160 countries around the world. On the outskirts of the city, a huge tent city has been set up, as usual, to accommodate the pilgrims, air-conditioned and comfortable as best as possible.
Di Ali Mansuri, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=252563
Discovering the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
This pilgrimage was finally organised without restrictions, after three years conditioned by the Coronavirus. However, a maximum number of two million worshippers (from abroad) and a maximum of 250,000 from within the country has been imposed. This was due to the events of 2015, where the overcrowding caused the death of some 2,400 worshippers.
Discovering the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
This journey represents the pinnacle of life for every faithful Muslim. In fact, this pilgrimage is a source of pride for the pilgrim, who proudly flaunts it with images of ships, planes and every other symbol of the journey to Mecca. After the hajj celebrations, the 'Feast of Sacrifice', Eid al-Adha, begins and ends on 1 July: during this week, the Muslim world stops to honour its most important rites.
Discovering the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
Islamic jurisprudence gives the possibility, for those physically impeded but financially able, to delegate another person to perform the religious obligation, the spiritual benefits of which will accrue to the person who has paid for the journey and the maintenance of the person in charge. It is also possible to bequeath funds for the rite to be performed in the name and for the benefit of the deceased.
Art galleries private collections
Art galleries private collections
Art galleries private collections
Art galleries private collections
Art galleries private collections
Art galleries private collections
Tablet computers and tech gadgets
14/06/2024
The four main consumer rights are: the right to product safety, to full information, to a free choice and to be heard. Often, however, especially in online transactions, not everything is as clear as it should be, and one often runs the risk of running into scams.
Suspicious e-mails, random links, false information, fake websites: these and many other things undermine our computer security, as do outdated passwords and careless consumers. The phenomenon of online scams is much more widespread than people think, with hundreds of thousands of victims worldwide every year.
However, there are some very simple guidelines to help you defend yourself. Nothing complicated, just a few behaviours to follow if you want to surf more safely. Here are some tips on how to arm yourself against online scams.
Art galleries private collections
12/06/2024
The Neolithic site of Stonehenge, is located a few miles from Salisbury, England. Formed of huge stones, it is believed to have been an astronomical observatory in ancient times, with special significance at the solstice and equinox.
Specifically, these are huge megaliths positioned in a circular shape, topped by equally huge connecting lintels. The current position of the stones is the result of massive restoration that took place in the early part of the 20th century.
To this day, historians and scientists remain debated about its real significance. Included in UNESCO protected sites, today it is a popular tourist destination. The myths behind this place, even in 2023, are wasted.