Joy As Rain Falls In Medina

Joy As Rain Falls In Medina
November 06, 2008 01:09 AM
Joy As Rain Falls In Medina
From Zulkifli SallehMEDINA, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Rain finally fell here yesterday after more than a year sending the residents and haj pilgrims into a jubilant mood.The downpour which lasted for about 30 minutes brought the temperature to below 20 degrees Celsius last night while dawn today was greeted by a cool breeze."Definitely, we are elated as it has not been raining for the last one year. This is a blessing from God," said a trader at a hotel here where Malaysian pilgrims are staying."The temperature is soothing for the pilgrims to perform the haj and visit the prophet's mausoleum," he said while pointing to a temperature gauge which read 19 degrees Celsius.Although the sky was overcast since the weekend, the atmosphere surrounding the Nabawi Mosque where hotels, hostels and commercial complexes are located, was one of joy with pilgrims frequently taking strolls and having drinks between prayers.As rain fell again this afternoon, although not as heavy as yesterday, Malaysian pilgrims have been asked by Malaysian Haj entourage head Mohd Salleh Mubin to brace themselves for cold weather.The pilgrims, who are observing the fifth pillar of Islam, are encouraged to visit Prophet Muhammad's mausoleum and to do at least 40 compulsory prayers at the Nabawi Mosque as their spiritual and physical preparation for the haj in Mecca.Thousands of Malaysian pilgrims have descended on this city since the weekend.Besides performing prayers at the Nabawi Mosque, they are visiting the Prophet's mausoleum, the Bakek Cemetery where Muhammad's disciples including three Al Rashidin caliphs - Saidina Abu Bakar, Saidina Omar Al Khatab and Uthman Ibnu Affan - are buried.They arrived here since Thursday for a nine-day stay here and this will enable them to visit holy places like the Qubaa, Qiblatain and Seven mosques as well as the Uhud Hill, once the scene of a fierce battle between the Prophet's army and non-believers.A Tabung Haji Malaysia spokesman said the first batch of pilgrims would leave for Mecca on Sunday to perform the umrah (small haj) before being joined by other pilgrims to perform the haj.--BERNAMA