Hundreds of Southland Muslims Go on Pilgrimage

More than 1,000 Southland Muslims have left for Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in recent days to celebrate the most important holiday on the Islamic calendar: Hajj, the weeklong pilgrimage that begins Thursday.

The pilgrimage, one of five duties of Islam, is required at least once in their lifetimes of all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the arduous journey.

More than 2 million pilgrims usually gather in Mecca annually to perform a series of rituals connected to the sacrifices made by Abraham, whom Muslims regard as a prophet and father of their faith.

The rituals include circling the Ka’aba--the stone building that Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael--stoning three pillars representing Satan’s temptation of the patriarch and supplication to God on the plain of Arafah, the climax of Hajj.

On March 5, Muslims worldwide will celebrate the end of Hajj with communal prayers, gifts to children and visits with family and friends in a Festival of Sacrifice called Eid ul-Adha.

Lomita couple Sakeena and Salman Mirza are among an estimated 10,000 Americans headed for Mecca this year. Unlike most pilgrims--or newlyweds--they are making Hajj their honeymoon. Despite the grueling rituals, the torrid Arabian heat and the overwhelming crowds, the couple said they wanted to consecrate their marriage with Hajj because of the promise of forgiveness of all sins on completion of the pilgrimage.

“It’s always been my dream to go to Hajj after my wedding, so we could both start fresh in our marriage in a pure state,” said Sakeena Mirza, 21.

EVENTS

The Unity of Tustin Campus will sponsor “The Third Coming,” a discussion of the return of a divine leader and a worldwide spiritual awakening. The workshop will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at 14402 S. Prospect Ave., Tustin. The Rev. Jim Rosemergy will run the workshop. The suggested tuition is $30. (714) 730-3486.

* Erwin Chemerinsky, a USC law professor and columnist, will speak on “The Vanishing Wall: Separating Church and State” at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel-Air. Coffee and tea will be served at 10 a.m. Admission is $7 for University Women members and $10 for the public. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 283.

* Throop Unitarian Universalist Church will host a community expo, “Space for the Spirit,” from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today. Free classes will be offered in calligraphy, tai chi, yoga, feng shui, organic gardening and Chinese philosophy. Speakers will include feng shui expert Angie Ma Wong, tai chi guru Kevin Powers and architectural expert Jan Muntz of Woodbury University. The church is at 300 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. (626) 795-8625.

* The Holy Spirit Prayer and Healing Ministry will present an Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Unity of Tustin Campus, 14402 S. Prospect Ave., Tustin. The service will include a discussion on the significance of Lent, a candle-lit procession, a ceremony of the ashes and a “burning bowl” ceremony symbolizing forgiveness and release. (714) 730-3486.

PERFORMANCES

The Camerata Orchestra and Chorus of Los Angeles will present a concert at 7:45 p.m. Sunday at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 13935 Telegraph Road, Whittier. Music will include works by Mozart and Bach. Father John Schiavone will be a featured soloist with H. Vincent Mitzelfelt conducting. (562) 941-0115, Ext. 221.

* “Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach,” a multimedia production written by Thurston Moore, will be presented at 5 p.m. March 11 at All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. Schweitzer, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, was a theologian, musician and physician who spent most of his life as a medical missionary in Africa. General admission is $12. The family rate is $25; admission is $10 for seniors and students. (626) 796-1172.

* The Westside Jewish Community Center will present “The Golem,” a Jewish fairy tale adapted by Rosalyn Grossan, at 7:30 p.m. March 3. Tickets cost $10 for center members and $12 for nonmembers. Seniors get a $2 discount. (323) 938-2531, Ext. 2225.

* Beth Chayim Chadashim and Congregation Kol Ami will present a screening of the film “Hit and Runaway,” about a friendship between a heterosexual Italian Catholic and a gay New York Jew, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Village, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles. General admission is $7; $6 for students and seniors. (323) 931-7023 or https://www.bcc-la.org.

* The Alleluia Dance Theater Group will perform Sunday at the 10 a.m. worship service of Hillcrest Congregational Church as part of the 41st annual Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts. The three-day arts festival features children’s art workshops, entertainment and crafts boutiques. It started Friday and continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The location is 2000 West Road in La Habra Heights. (562) 947-3755.

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