In the middle of last March, the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Nawaf Al -Ma’wed, stressed before the House of Representatives that the modern electronic mechanism that was adopted to register pilgrims contributed to reducing prices by 400 to 1,000 dinars, indicating that there are about 14 thousand Bahraini looking to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
Until this moment, everything seemed promising, as the interest of the citizen should be a priority, and any cost reduction is a step worthy of praise. It opened the door for competition between campaigns, and aspirations have increased that the pilgrimage becomes available to a wider segment of people.
However, as is the custom, between planning and reality is a long distance.
The report of the newspaper “Al -Watan”, issued yesterday, revealed a shocking paradox, as the prices of Hajj campaigns in Bahrain witnessed an unjustified increase, ranging between 1490 and 6500 Bahraini dinars, according to the 2025 season.
All in light of the marketing of envelope with bright names: VIP package, businessman package, family package, youth package. As if we are facing luxurious tourist offers, not in front of a journey of faith to the cleanest parts of the earth!
The Hajj season has been converted into an open luxury race; Luxury hotel rooms, five -star meals, special transportation and entertainment features that are not related to the spirit of Hajj. As if it is intended to perform the rituals with the least amount of effort, as if the fatigue that God has made part of the hardship of the Hajj has become a defect that should be disposed of.
Where is reverence? Where is humility? Where are the meanings on which this great duty is based?
Has the pilgrimage, the fifth pillar, became available to the lucky rich only? While disappointment accumulates in the hearts of thousands of people who do not have a luxury that paid thousands of dinars in exchange for a “journey” that was supposed to be for everyone, not for the wealthy alone. It is painful that the campaigns that are marketed for an exaggerated welfare, the Hajj robbed its true meaning.
A person does not return to feel equal with others, nor does he live the moment of abstraction from the world as God Almighty wanted it. Rather, he finds himself living in a bubble of services and well -being that blur the essence of this sacred worship. What happens today requires the sound of the alarm.
There must be a serious pause; Hajj is not an investment project or a luxurious tourist product. Hajj is a great worship, the title of humility, reverence and impartiality from the decoration of the world.
The concerned authorities must set clear limits for these auctions, and the citizens themselves must realize that the value of the Hajj is not in the quality of the room or the level of hospitality, but at the moment you stand before God, and you are stripped of everything except from your faith and submission to it.
Let us protect this great pillar from turning into a commodity that is sold and bought .. Some dreams should not be sold at a price.
