Muslims Focus Their Attention on Pilgrimage to Mecca

Next week, Muslims worldwide begin observing activities associated with the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.

All Muslims who are physically and financially able are obligated to perform the hajj at least once in their lives.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith and symbolizes fully turning to God and seeking forgiveness for past sins, said Mahmoud Abdel-Baset of the Islamic Center of Southern California.

The rites of the hajj commemorate the trials and sacrifices of the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, whom the Koran says Abraham was prepared to sacrifice in obedience to God’s command.

The major rituals of the hajj take place for three days beginning on the eighth day--March 25 this year--of the lunar month Dhul-Hijjah. At the close of the hajj, Muslims everywhere gather for the festival Eid al-Adha, a celebration of gifts and prayer.

Because the start of the holiday is dictated by the sighting of the new moon, the date of Eid al-Adha is still officially unknown. But Abdel-Baset said a ceremony is expected to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center at 6 a.m. March 28, when thousands of Muslims will gather in prayer.

Muslims interested in attending should call the Islamic Center of Southern California next week to confirm the date, time and place. (213) 382-9200.

In addition, some local mosques are planning their own ceremonies for the community.

PEOPLE

Pioneering feminist theologian Rachel Adler has been awarded the National Jewish Book Award for Jewish thought for her book “Engendering Judaism: A New Theology and Ethics” (Jewish Publication Society).

Adler, one of the first scholars to integrate feminism into Jewish theology, is assistant professor of Jewish religious thought and feminist studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and assistant professor of religion at USC. She holds the first joint appointment between the two institutions.

Her book challenging mainstream Judaism was hailed as one of the most significant works of modern Jewish theology to be published at the close of the century.

The Jewish Book Council presented its award to Adler on March 11 in New York City. Other honorees included Leon Wieseltier for his nonfiction work “Kaddish” and Aharon Appelfeld for his book of fiction “Iron Tracks.”

BUDDHISM

The Immaculate Heart College Center will host a lecture series Friday and Saturday featuring former UCLA Chaplain Heidi Singh on women and gender in Buddhism. The Saturday session includes a visit to the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, with a tour given by the nuns of the temple.

The center is the successor to Immaculate Heart College, a Catholic institution that closed in 1980 and reopened the next year as a nondenominational, ecumenical facility with a feminist focus. It offers the nation’s only master of arts degree program in feminist spirituality.

The center is at 425 Shatto Place, Suite 401, Los Angeles. For more information on lectures and workshops, contact the college at (213) 386-3116.

CONVOCATION

The Church of God Pentecostal-Inglewood will present its second Southwestern District Holy Convocation next week.

The church is at 733 S. Grevillea Ave., Inglewood. (310) 419-7335.

DRAMA and MUSIC

Echos of Faith Christian Center in Ontario will present “Easter Celebration ‘99” Sunday through March 28.

The dramatic portrayal of the life of Christ will feature a cast of 100 actors, live tigers and sheep, horses pulling Roman chariots, fireworks and special effects. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. nightly with a 3 p.m. matinee next Saturday.

Admission is free and doors open one hour before each performance. The church is at 11255 S. Central Ave. (909) 627-0927.

* Westwood Presbyterian Church’s Chancel Choir and Chamber Orchestra will offer the Requiem by French composer Maurice Durufle on Sunday at 3 p.m.

The performance is part of the Music at Westwood concert series and will include works by Poulenc, Messiaen and Boulanger. Tickets are $15 for the public, $10 for students and senior citizens.

The church is at 10822 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-4535.

* The University Synagogue will host a spring concert Sunday at 4 p.m. Conductor Leon Guide will begin the afternoon with Haydn’s Surprise Symphony. Harpist Sharon Rothman and flutist Ellen Wilson will perform Mozart’s Concerto for Harp and Flute. James Stark, violinist, and Wilson on flute will join the orchestra for Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.

In addition, cantor Jay Frailich will sing selections from “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Phantom of the Opera.”

The synagogue is at 11960 Sunset Blvd. in Brentwood.

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