Trick or Treat?

Attending a private school with students from all religions, we got to know about the different holidays and traditions of each religion. One of the yearly events that took place at school was the Halloween custom party. Students and staff would dress up and there would be a custom competition followed by a dance and candy distribution. In addition to that, I always watched American movies about Halloween so it wasn't a new idea for me. I always wanted to go "Trick or Treating" and going to the States I got to do it.

Every weekend throughout my exchange year was a new adventure for me. We would go out as a family to visit a new city/state, try new activities, have fun all together. As days of October flew by, people were getting ready for Halloween (which is October 31).

Volunteering was a major part of my YES experience and fortunately Halloween gave me a chance to volunteer while having fun and being introduced to some of the American culture. Being an active member of the YSL (Youth Service Learning) club, I had access to unlimited volunteering opportunities. One of these was volunteering to carve pumpkins for the local zoo. The moment I saw it, I signed up for it for I knew it would be a great chance to not only help out but also get to know more about the Halloween traditions. I remember that my host dad went with me and volunteered as well. I have to admit, the whole carving thing was totally new to me and I had a rough start! I had no idea what I was doing but with the help of my host dad I eventually got the hang of it and enjoyed it. It was so much fun making all these different faces with the pumpkins and getting creative. However, getting all the stuffings out from the pumpkin wasn't that fun to say the least. My host dad and I had so much fun and I gave him some serious laughs when I was so confused and lost!

During the weekend of Halloween, we went to Hutchinson, Minnesota to meet the family at our aunt's house. It was so much fun especially that everyone was welcoming and loving. When it was time to go out for trick or treat, I figured that I would go with them to see the kids and enjoy cite seeing around town with all these spooky houses. To my surprise, everyone suggested that I should get into a custom and go out knocking on doors like the kids! As much as I wanted to go, I was too shy and felt awkward for I was almost 15 years old. My host parents insisted on me and gave me the cutest custom ever. I was going to be "Winnie the Pooh" !! After becoming Pooh bear, I grabbed my candy bag and headed out with the kids and their parents.

Everything looked scary in a creative way. Houses decorated with orange lights and ghosts. Front yards gave the illusion of cemeteries and graveyards. It gave me the chills but in a cool way. I felt like I was inside a Halloween movie! Kids and their parents were all over the place with all kinds of customs and outfits. There were the cartoon characters, super heroes, witches,vampires, ghosts... everything. We went all over the neighborhood knocking on doors saying "Trick or Treat?!" and we would get tons of candy and chocolate. It was a real blast.

After we finished our round, we headed back to the house. The whole family was there and everyone shared laughs and jokes. We all checked the candy we collected and enjoyed it!

The next day we went and spent it at the Mall of America. It was HUGE! We had so much fun and did lots of shopping as usual. I also got to run into some Arabian employees over there. It was like the icing on the cake getting to meet someone from back home and speak Arabic with.

As much fun as the entire Halloween weekend was, the best part was after Halloween. All stores put all the chocolate and candy on some serious sales! I went and grabbed all the chocolate I could but I did save some of them for my siblings for when I came back home!

Al Hajj and Adha

Faith is in the air warming our hearts, everyone is asking God for forgiveness; it is the Hajj and Adha time of the year.

***The information in this post is very brief and summarized to keep it simple and straightforward. There is much more to the Hajj and Adha than is mentioned here.*** 

To begin with, "Adha" (أضحى) is an Arabic word meaning sacrifice. However, in the religious concept means to "worship God by doing the rituals in a specific place at a specific time." As for the place, it is Mecca in Saudi Arabia. As for the time, 8th to 12th of "Dhu Al Hijja" (The last month of the Islamic lunar calender and it means "Possessor of the Pilgrimage.") The Adha Holiday comes during the season of Hajj-10th of Dhu Al Hijja.

*Pilgrims (Al Hujjaj) are the people that are answering God's orders to go to the Hajj.

*Al Kaaba : it is the sacred house (also known as the Ancient House) and it is the direction to face while praying no matter where you are praying.

"Al Hajj" is the fifth pillar of the five pillars of Islam where Muslims from all over the world gather to worship God. The Hajj is a must on every Muslim who is capable - financially, physically and mentally once in a lifetime and each additional visit is optional. It is mentioned several times in the Holy Quran and the Prophet Mohammad (Blessings and Peace be Upon Him) explained it to people and taught them how it is done.

The are four basic essential steps that MUST be fulfilled during the Hajj.

1- "Al Ihram" : which is to intend that one is planning on going through with Hajj. Usually, the intention is in heart (As the Prophet said : All actions are by intention.) but it is preferred to be said out loud.

2- Standing on Mount Arafa : and this is the most crucial part of the Hajj ceremony. Pilgrims stand there and pray all day for God to forgive them from their sins.

*Mount Arafa is the location where Adam and Eve met after they were sent to Earth from Heaven.*

3- "Tawaf Al Ziyara" : it is where each person walks seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba.

4- "Al Saei Bayn El Safa wal Marwa" : each person goes back and forth between the hills of Al Safa wal Marwa.

In addition to these four steps, pilgrims drink from the Zamzam well, throw stones (Stoning of the Devil) and visit the place where the Prophet is buried in the Madina.

The Adha Holiday is on the 10th of Dhu Al Hijja and it is celebrated by Muslims around the world. People who have been (or are still) at Hajj are required to sacrifice an animal on this day and distribute the meat to the poor.

***There are specific types of animals and some conditions for the sacrifice but I am not going to mention them due to keeping this post simple.***

During the Hajj and Adha, people say all kinds of prayers and seek forgiveness. However, there a couple of prayers that are said and carry special meanings related to the season.

"Labbayka Allahomma labbayk..Labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk..Inna l hamda wal niemata laka wal molk la shareeka lak" : Oh God we are here to answer Your commands, You are the One and only. You are the One to be thanked, You are the One with the blessings with no other.

"Allaho akbar Allaho akbar la ilah illah Alla...Allaho akbar Allaho akbar wa lil allah el hamd" : God is the greatest God is the greatest He is the only God... God is the greatest God is the greatest for Him we send our thanks.

It usually preferred that non-pilgrims Muslims fast the day before Adha which is Arafa day. It is mentioned that fasting this day cleans one's sins from the previous year and the upcoming year.

Like every other Holiday, people gather and families reunite to celebrate together this Holy Day. Big feasts take place and women prepare all kinds of desserts and goodies to share with others. Children dress up and visit relatives who give them money and candy. People donate money, clothes and food to the less fortunate to share the spirit of the Holiday.

As the Adha is amost here, I ask God to forgive us all and bring us happiness and joy.
May God bring peace to the world, especially the Arabic world as it is going through tough days.