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| Pilgrims come from all over the world |
The Hajj is a linguistic smorgasboard with pilgrims from more than 170 countries speaking in their native tongues.
Despite the babble of so many languages one stands out, Arabic. In
other places English has become the global tongue, but at the Hajj,
Arabic prevails.
Ninety percent of the world's Muslims do not speak Arabic as their native language. Yet in daily prayers, when
reading the Quran, or even in simple conversations with each other, Arabic rolls off any Muslim's tongue readily.
The Quran is written in Arabic, as Allah is said to have revealed it to the Prophet Mohammed 1400 years ago.
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| Most Muslims can pray in Arabic |
It may be broken or heavily accented, but most Muslims make the attempt to speak and understand at least some Arabic
so they can understand the original text of the Quran.
Some of the pilgrims have been in Saudi Arabia for weeks and they have picked up useful Arabic words, which they
use with delight such as, "Shoya, Shoya" (easy, easy), "Sabber ya Haji" (patience oh! pilgrim), and
"Ya Haji tareek" (pilgrim, move out of the way).
These are just a few of the Arabic phrases that the pilgrims say to each other and all seem to understand.
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| Pilgrims communicate despite language barriers |
These phrases are used in a very light-hearted manner and seem to dispel tension, especially in crowds.
Other useful phrases are: "Al Salamu alaykum" (Peace be upon you), "Shukran" (Thank you), "Ma'assalama" (Goodbye),
"Na'am" (Yes), "Kaif al Hal" (How are you?), "Tayib" (Good), "Asif" (Sorry), "Marhaba" (Hello), "Men fadlak" (If you please).
Pilgrims can speak to Allah in their own language though many use some Arabic.
One British pilgrim said he got lost quite regularly as all the signs were in Arabic.
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| Shops in Mecca |
"Everyone is talking a different language so you can't really ask anyone the best thing is to go with the crowd," he said.
If you are intending on coming on Hajj most say it is a good idea to learn some Arabic starting with the phrases above.
"Maassalama" for now.
Go to a full list of suggested prayers and dua'as.
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Live at the Hajj