MINA: Raising his arm, Yousef Ali hugs his elderly father in front of one of Islam’s holiest sites as they grin for a selfie — a craze that has hit this year’s haj.
But not everyone is happy about young pilgrims from around the world constantly snapping selfies as they carry out the rights of haj. From Tawaf — circling the holy Kaaba structure in Mecca — to prayers atop Mount Mercy in Arafat, and stoning of the “devil” in Mina, the key stages of haj have been recorded on cameras and smartphones for posterity, and for instant sharing through social media. Haj is the one of the world’s largest religious gatherings and attracted over two million believers this year.
Ya fazool drama but it’s something I would refrain from because I’m kind of obsessed with taking photographs and if I start taking photographs I’ll lose my mind trying to get the best shot and all my worship skills will die. I’ll probably end up getting arrested from the roof of the Kaaba or something.
imagine 3 million people taking selfies inside the Ka’ba courtyard and blocking the smooth flow of people. i think if they are hindrance and/or cause chaos, it should be stopped to have ease of Hajj for other. this act is unnecessary and a distraction from their own 'ibaadaat. Hajis go their for Hajj, a life time experience for most, and to connect to Allah, this act of taking selfies not only distract themselves but also the other Hajis and encourage them to take a few of their own.
the Hajj should be ONLY for the sake of reconnecting with Allah and 'ibaadaat. Hajj is NOT a trophy that you wanna have a photo-shoot sessions. keep Hajj pure and simple.
the mutawalli of the Khaana-e-Ka’ba should enforce a BAN on bringing in Cameras within the Masjid’s premises, citing ‘cameras being inconvenience to other Hujjaaj’…there are billions of places on earth where photography is STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED!