The Road to Hajj - Troubled passage - Panama
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- As one of the world's iconic landmarks, the Panama Canal has been the facilitator for many long journeys.
For Ray Henry it constitutes the departure point for what he considers the most important journey of his life.
Ray who works on the canal was been chosen by the growing Muslim community in Panama as their candidate to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Visibly proud, he demonstrates that every last detail has been prepared for his trip.
"Well, as you can see my bags are out. I am ready," he says.
"They told me normal towels but normal towels won't work. And I am not that big a person anymore. I'm a shrimp of what I used to be."
Ray has been trying to improve his basic skills in Arabic, studying alone on his computer after his teacher left for the Middle East last year, aware that not speaking Arabic may be an issue when he arrives in Saudi Arabia.
Growing up in Colon, Panama's second most important city Ray converted to Islam about four years ago after seeing beyond what he says were initially negative images of Islam conveyed to him.
Growing community
"The idea of Islam did appeal to me at some point, but it was tainted by overtures of racism from the current that I received, and a lot of negative media input," he says.
"But I did get started reading pamphlets on the life of the Prophet and seeing how much of an extraordinary person he was… I was in a large meeting ... with a Muslim person and I started asking Muslims about their religion. And I came to understand the true meaning of Islam."
Although a relatively recent convert to Islam, Ray is a member of what is a growing Muslim community in Panama, a community that has long roots that historically were ignored according to Abdulkhaber Muhammed, the director of the centre of Islamic Studies in Panama.
"Historically Panama has never, wanted to acknowledge the history of the Muslims in this area," he says.
"Because Panama was a Spanish colony, and if we go back to that period of the inquisition, Muslims were being killed and forced to change their names. Islam in Latin America was taboo.
"Historically, however, the first Muslims that arrived here in Panama, came here from Africa. In 1552 a Spanish slave boat came to Panama because, Panama was the crossroads of South America."
Abdulkhader says there are Muslims living across Panama but those in Colon are mainly of Arabic origin.
The first mosque built in Central America, was inaugurated in 1982 funded in part by the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. There are now 10 mosques throughout Panama's nine provinces.
Ray says the sight of Mecca in photographs does not necessarily "excite" him but that he has definitely become more emotional as he has got older.
Ahead of his anticipated journey, he has the full support of his family despite initial concerns from his wife, Maria.
"When he converted to Islam, I felt little bit uncomfortable, because I wondered how could he decide to become religious overnight. And even more religious than me," Maria says.
"I did not understand his behavior, which made me worried. But I noticed great change in his conduct. I wondered, can this really be true?
"But, it's good. The change has been incredible, and it has completely changed him.
I see that because of his sincerity, God will give him all the guidance that he wants in order for him to enter paradise on judgement day."
Visa issues
Ray has been getting advice on his pilgrimage from Abdulkhader, whom he met shortly after his conversion, who teaches him the importance of reading Arabic and what to expect during the Hajj.
But as Ray prepares, Jamel Saker from the Islamic Association of Panama, who picked him to be their candidate for the pilgrimage is up against it in his attempts to secure the all important visa for travel to Saudi Arabia.
The chosen Panamanian candidate has to have their visa secured via Caracas in Venezuela rather than in the US or Mexico. But it appears Ray is in the same predicament as 30 other pilgrims, in a race against time to make the journey.
Ray's visa does not come through in time and his disappointment is palpable.
"I'll keep my intention to make Hajj next year, God willing. This means I have to work little harder. Prepare myself. But like I said, I understand it is Allah's will, and I don't question that," he says.
While Muslims in Mecca perform the Hajj, Ray undertakes his own prayers and sacrifice for Eid al-Adha in Colon, a holiday that lasts for just one day in Panama rather than the traditional three.
He gets his hair cut for $3.50, in honour of the ritual he would have undertaken during the Hajj
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Love from Bangladesh
Love all my Muslim brothers
And Sisters in Islam remember that. Guys please don't forget Us the Sisters remember the Sisters in Islam.
A. A brother Ray. I’m so happy for you from thousands of miles away that Allah tacala chose and guided you to be among the believers.
My heart broke when you didn’t get the visa but then you said ‘I don’t doubt it’s the WILL OF ALLAH’ and I agree with that.
I. A tala next hajj you’ll be among those who’re honored.
Congratulations for finding the truth. May Allah give the strength and knowledge to stay on the right and may your loved ones follow your footsteps.
i sincerely pray for Ray's determination to go for the Hajj. love from Malaysia.
May Allah accept his prayers to perform Hajj sooner
Insh'ALLAH.
aamiin
@GABRIEL MOSES For your religion is yours my religion is mine.
Pppp0
@@esahakabubakar5827 bbbbbbhvboibhonokno. It will take it from you 😂 iiiiiiiiii8iiiiii
Hope aljazeera will keep us updated about ray’s trip to Mecca .
اللهما اجعله من ضيوفك و ارزقه حج مبرور في اقرب وقت
Wish you Hajj Mabruran..love from Indonesia.
Thank Aljazeera.
love al jazeera
respect for aljazeera they always show very interesting and informative programs
You are in good company Ray. Remember how the prophet & his pilgrims were denied entry until the next year. Not only did they finally do their pilgrimage, they took Mecca back for Allah.
The callings you are experiencing are not only towards Mecca, God is calling you to himself, he wants you to come even closer. You are so lucky that God is speaking to your heart & in time, he will let you know why he didn't facilitate this specific pilgrimage. Quote: "Allah is with the patient for as long as they are patient". Salam Br
May Allah accept your Hajj brother and make everything easy for you. Allah be with you brother.
Insha'Allah brother...Allah will make it easy for you
May Allah swt give him the opportunity to go to next year's Hajj, ameen. This disapointment will make his experience of hajj even more priceless inchaAllah :)
Why, i cried so much watching this:"(Mah ALLAH protect all of you my bro/sis. Love so much from India ❤️
He's a real Muslim wallahi I feel bad for him cuz he didn't get the visa an he still said alhamdulillah
Thank you الجزیرہ for posting so beautiful videos about our Muslim brethern. I like my brothers dressed in Islamic dress and praying with ALLAH to take them to بیت اللہ شریف for Hajj and Umra many many times. Heartiest congratulations to new converts.
May ALLAH accept your hajj as a way to paradise
Suhanallah tabarakallah. I’ve been wanting to go for Hajj since I registered in 2012. Last month a letter arrived for the 1st time, informing me that I’m in the waiting list for this coming hajj season and there is still no guarantee it will pull through after waiting almost for 9 years. In shaa Allah if Allah will it, there is still a chance I might go this year or the next. Allah is the best planner and He knows what is best for each of us.
UAE always give away hajj for free every year please check their website for this year in Shaa Allah
May Almighty Allah accept your dua’s and In’sha’Allah open the doors of Hajj for you.
Maa Shaa ALLAH,
Ray, May ALLAH Almighty Bless and Protect you AMEEN.
InsyaAllah brother..salam from malaysia
Mashallah one of the most beautiful places in the world AllahuAkbar
InshaAllah, Brother Ray will get to perform his Haj. His Niyah and his willingness is strong and Allah (SWT) Will Make it happen for him. I will pray for you.
Mash Allah.....May Allah grant you Jannah for your belief in Him and His will....You will perform hajj Insha Allah
I almost carried at the end of the video. May Allah(s.w) make it easy for you.
Always remembering you in my prayers.
Brother you're really trying your best but Allah see,s ur heart just leave it to God the Almighty he will surely take care of it n, I wish you all the best God bless you..
Love from 🇵🇰 Pakistan. May Allah bless you brothers
Machallah May Allah increase his daraja and facilitate everything for him here and in the Akhira ameen.
Ma shaa Allah brother may God Almighty accept all your prayer's amen...
Next year Inshallah my brother, So hard for me to watch this as the video ended
Brother Ray, I feel for you but I hope you are able to perform your hajj by now. I remember how my sister was devastated when her doctor did not allow her to travel just a month before the flight. We had to transfer to someone else the hajj travel because it was non refundable. A year after, my sister succumbed to her illness but in her heart, she felt that she has gone to hajj by default. May Allah grant her the highest place in Janna. Amen.
WOW Brother May Allah reward you for your hard work. A great Muslim Masha Allah 🕋
Subhanallah...may you can go as soon as brother.., insha Allah you will get hajj mabrur... Aamiin...Yaa Rabball allamiin...
His mother is right he must put everything in the hands of God. He will do his hajj, Inshallah 🕋
May Allah accept your Hajj and congratulations brother for Hajj
Mashallah.from India
Salaam. So did Ray manage to get his Visa for Hajj this year(2019)?
I hope so he put he's trust in Allah last year but I think he's got it
Allah Subhana wa taala bless you brother Ray..keep strong Istiqomah in iman & Islam my brother Ray..you is beautiful men👍
Insyallah the time will come for him.. pray for him from Malaysia.
Awesome doc. And Ray seems like a pretty cool dude, I hope it gets to make it next year. And I hope they do a follow-up for him!
This year 2024, InsaAllah, I am going to perform hajj. I have been a sinner and I am asking Allah to forgive me and allow me to perform my hajj before anything happens to me. Amen
Broke my heart 💔 he just wanted to see the house of Allah
😭😭😭
my brother
💪💪💪
Thanks Al Jazeera for showing our brother's
Inshallah riya u will go in future don't lose your confidence
Love From Indonesia... Insya Allah.. Allah hu Akbar..
May Allah grant him jannah and help him spread the peace in this great and final religion!
Wish you good luck brother...Don’t give up.
Alhamdulliallah Aswrbhu brother ray I was with you in 2018hajj jajjaakallah Khair
Inshallah brother, you will perform Hajj when the time comes..i pray for you brother
Masha Allah bro and sister panama
Alhamdulillah there already 10 Mosques in Panama City
I hope and pray that u get a chance to go next yr
Aamiin
My Prayer for you Brother. Inshallah you will be doing Hajj by next year. May Allah bless you brother
Beautiful. Mashallah
Allah gonna listen to you , we all pray , hope your wish will be true , you gonna get visa, perform the hajj . many in bangladesh face the same problem
Please share the video if he travel for hajj 👌🏻
الله يبارك فيكم
Insha Allah may Allah grant u this great opportunity to go for gadj.from South Africa
Goid luck my brother.
please share if he managed to go to Hajj
Feeling proud of u
Masha ALLAH the future of Islam Alhamdulillah peace and love
We need a follow up AlJazzera...did Ray go last year??? subhanAllah Hajj for 2020 is probably going to be canceled. So if he didn't go in 2019, inshaAllah he will go in the future.
Maashallah I love him wallaahi
AFRICA, MY BROTHERS WE ARE ONE , YOU AND ASIA MUST BE ONE
SUBHANALLAHU VE ELHAMDULILLAHI....LA IL LAHE IL ALLAHU VE ALLAHU AKBAR....
Elhamdulilah
Mashallah
Masha allah
Alhamdulillah I'm happy for you guys especially going to the Hajj pilgrim..may Allah SWT protect all the Hajj travellers always also their families at home..in the best of health and to receive abundance rizqi always..best personal regards to all people of Panama..may Allah SWT bless you all always
ماشاءالله
when i heard he's saying i need to work harder, does it mean that he lost all the expenses he made for the hajj preparation? (ticket, arrangement, etc)
did Ray make it for the hajj in the next year?
Masya Allah Tabarakallah
Brother ray ur Brother frm tanzania..iwent to hajj 2017.dont b disappointed Allah still have plans for you. And u can still do things and reward of hajj so don't b disappointed. Kip us posted how did menage. Allah give u hiddaya and for give ur all sins 🙏. Welcome to tanzania 🇹🇿 ur Brother issah
Any news about brother Rey did he end up going to hajj?
Be positive bro u will go inshaaAllaah it happens to every muslim this visa issues😢
MashaAllah
Very nice brother
Insha Allah
2018 was first time i work hajj visa preparation
I think it will be hard this days to go to hajj as too many applicant in one events...like we're talking millions...how it will fit in Kaabah I'm worried when I'm planning to go hajj..
You would be amazed how special the place is and the capacity it can handle masha'allaah walahaula walaquata illahbillah it's us human beans(beings) tht have put restrictions and limitations,
The security team at haram is well organized in terms of crowd control. Everyone even if its 5million pilgrims will get a chance to perform tawaf around kaabah
My brothers and sisters
God Is our One Great Creator! Always pray to God, and not to God's creations such as Jesus. This was part of Jesus's Message From God that he gave when he was on earth.
Subhanallah
May Allah accept you ibadah.
May Allah give you strength
Alhamdulillah
Saludos al hermano Khabir
ماشااللہ
IshaAllah you go to Hajj
ALLAH-O-AKBAR
ধন্যবাদ আল্লাহ
Mashallah bro united kingdom
Amen
Be patients bro.
i"m low vision, and i dont understand the language
Aljazeera never replies back
Muslim in Panama wow
ماشاللہ
Aameen
Many people dinied for Hajj maybe your food wasn't there for one month in deserts inshallah will happen again you will go everything for reason 🧐
Dearest brother Ray, I have just one thing to tell you.... "You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety..." Al-Fath: 27 😊