The Amazing Hajj Adventure

    By Israa Mohamad Zaghnoun

    The Amazing Hajj Adventure cover image

    01 Jun, 2024

    a boy sitting on the floor in a room filled with toys and books on the walls and a television on the wall, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, official art

    Ali, a lively 7-year-old, entered the room filled with excitement. He loved cartoons and couldn’t wait for the workshop to start.

    a group of children sitting around a table with a map on it and a picture of a mosque in the background, hurufiyya, a storybook illustration, Altoon Sultan, official art

    Soon, Aisha, a soft-spoken girl of six, joined him. She was equally eager to learn about Hajj through the cartoon-themed workshop.

    a couple of kids sitting on top of a bed in a room with pictures on the wall and a teddy bear, photorealism, a storybook illustration, Eddie Mendoza, official art

    Ali and Aisha sat down on the bean bags, their eyes glued to the screen. The cartoon journey of Hajj had begun.

    a group of people standing in a large building with a clock tower in the background and a crowd of people standing around, hurufiyya, a storybook illustration, Asaf Hanuka, promotional image

    They learned about the ritual of Tawaf, circling the Kaaba seven times. Ali and Aisha were so engaged, they felt as if they were part of the journey.

    a boy and girl walking through a canyon in the desert with mountains in the background and a sky with clouds, samikshavad, poster art, Ella Guru, promotional image

    The cartoon characters started the Sa'i, a walk between two hills, Safa and Marwa. The children were captivated by the story unfolding on the screen.

    a cartoon of a woman and a child in front of a doorway with a star in the sky above, serial art, a storybook illustration, Altoon Sultan, comic cover art

    They watched as the characters completed seven rounds, understanding the meaning and importance of this ritual.

    two young girls standing in a library with books on the floor and people sitting around them in the background, hurufiyya, a comic book panel, Altoon Sultan, official art

    After the cartoon, it was time for some interactive activities. Ali and Aisha played games that simulated the rituals they had just learned.

    a group of children standing in a room with a clock on the wall and a woman in a pink dress, bengal school of art, a storybook illustration, Art & Language, official art

    They took turns explaining the customs and rituals, reinforcing their understanding of Hajj.

    a group of children sitting on a rug in a room with a rug on the floor and a rug on the floor, vancouver school, a photo, Amir Zand, award-winning photograph

    As the workshop neared its end, a short film about the Hajj pilgrimage was shown. The children watched with rapt attention.

    a cartoon of a boy and girl sitting in front of a crowd of people in a mosque with a man standing behind them, hurufiyya, a comic book panel, Asaf Hanuka, official art

    Through the film, they experienced the spiritual journey and felt the significance of every ritual and custom.

    a couple of kids standing in a room with posters on the wall behind them and a backpack on the floor, temporary art, a storybook illustration, Ella Guru, official art

    As the workshop concluded, Ali and Aisha left the room, their hearts filled with joy and their minds enlightened.

    two women in robes standing in a library with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and a bed in the background, paris school, a comic book panel, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    They thanked their hosts, promising to share what they learned with their friends. It had indeed been an amazing Hajj adventure.