Dear parents and caregivers
This special edition of the newsletter is going to cover Hajj Day. You will follow us upon our journey showcased with pictures and reflections from students. We hope you will enjoy your children sharing their journey with you.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Al-Zubeidi and all staff members who helped guide our students through this journey. We have conducted three programs throughout three meaningful days, one for Junior Primary, one for Primary and one for Middle School. These days of Hajj created an excellent learning experience not only for students but also for staff. Playford College students are blessed indeed to be a part of such an experience at a young age. It is through these types of programs that we continue to nurture our students with the blessing of our Imam.
Below are the different aspects of Hajj or as we would now call it, the Journey to the Beloved. We will cover a few aspects in the newsletter.
We began our Journey to the Beloved with our intention. The intention is one of the most important parts in any action as it can determine whether or not we may gain nearness to our Beloved. 
Read on to find out more about what our students experienced along with different aspects of Hajj Journey.
Blessings
Chris Riemann & Racha H. Makki
Principal & Deputy Principal
Hajj Reflections by Students
“My favourite part of Hajj was Muzdalifa because it was very peaceful and very calm. I also enjoyed connecting with Allah. I learnt the steps to Hajj and also I learnt to walk between Safa and Marwa seven times.” (Areej, 5/6F)
“I really enjoyed the experience and was very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate” (Ali Nasiri 9/10C)
“My favourite part was participating and winning the project. I learnt that men can’t wear sewed Ihram.” (Mariam 7/8E)
“My favourite part about the journey was the project because everyone was working together and the teacher worked very hard to make this project fun. I learnt that you are supposed to walk between Safa and Marwa seven times sincerely”
(Sana Jawadi 5C)
“Favourite part is Tawaf which is walking around the Kaaba seven times. I learnt that when you go around the Kaaba for Tawaf, in center of the Kaaba you will have to say Allahu Akbar and you have to pray two rakat behind Maqam Ibrahim and which is like praying behind Imam Mahdi” (Mubashir 5C)
“I liked the part of stoning the rami because I felt good after destroying the naffs”
(Muntazir 5C)
“I learnt about Imam Mahdi and we wrote a letter to Allah and Imam Mahdi and we cut our hair so we don’t do sins again in our lives.”
(Askari 5C)
“I learnt how it’s like to experience Hajj and I learnt how to connect better with Allah.” (Eba 5/6F)
My favourite part about Hajj day is when we wrote our sins down on a piece of paper and tore them into pieces. I learnt a lot of things on Hajj day and one of them is when you finish Tawaf you have to pray behind maqam Ibrahim” (Ali Al Ali 5/6F)
“My favourite part was Hajj project, destroying my desires and connecting to Allah”. (Zain 5C)
“My favourite part of Hajj was when we were writing our letters to God. I liked this because I felt more connected to God. I learnt that we actually hit the naafs with stones”. (Sofia 7/8E)
“Favourite part was throwing pebbles because your heart becomes pure again if you apologise for all your sins.”
(Omul Banin 5/6F)
“Free time to get close to Allah.”
(Rabbia 3/4H)
“I loved the fact that we can do Hajj at a young age so when we grow up we know what to do when we go to the real Hajj and I learnt so much like how to destroy your lowly desires.” (Maqbul 3/4H)
“My favourite part of Hajj was kahoot because I learnt lots of things and it was very fun. I learnt that we need to wear white ihram while doing the Hajj and go around the Kaaba.”
(Nazia 5/6F)
“My favourite part was the Muzdalifa because we all got some special time to connect with God and tell him about our problems. I learnt that you are supposed to throw seven stones three times. (Duaa, 5/6F)
“My favourite part of Hajj is when we went to the prayer hall because it really helped me to get closer to Allah. I also learned that you can’t look back when you are going around the Kaaba.” (Banoo, 5/6F)
“My favourite part was free time and Kahoot. I learned about how to make my heart clean!”
(Seyyed 3/4H)
“My favourite part was Mina which is throwing pebbles because that actually removing desires not just hitting pillars.” (Ahad 5C)
Hajj Day – Following the Journey
Meeqat
Our journey to the Beloved begins at the Meeqat, where our intentions manifest themselves by wearing the Ihram and by beginning our declaration through the Talbiyah, which is the call we make to declare to God that we are here.
The Kaaba
The Kaaba is the place of Divine peace and nearness to God.
Tawaf
Our Journey to God Tawaf is where pilgrims must go around the Kaaba seven times, in a counter clockwise direction.
After Tawaf we did the Tawaf prayer. It is best to do this behind the station of Abrahim which was built for our students this year.
Sa’y
Between being Alone with God, and being with God with the People.
Sa’y means to walk fast between the hills of Safa and Marwa. Our students did the sa’y with the mentors and they wrote their promises as they went.
Arafat
Arafat is a place near Mecca that is a large desert. In Arafat you seek to know the Beloved as well as His great representative on earth.
Muzdalifa
Muzdalifa is a place that pilgrims go to after Arafat to stay at night.
After we gain the light of guidance in Arafat, we are to unite with our Beloved during the night at Muzdalifa.
The darkness of the night is used to put the teachings of Arafat into practice, now that you are near to God and the Imam, spend time with them. It is during the night that you can whisper to God. After we have connected to our Beloved, we engaged in Taqsir which is done to remove any final attachments to this world. We pray that we can maintain this connection to our Beloved until the next time we take the Journey again in Hajj 2021 inshallah.
August
17th Science Week
week 5/6 NAPLAN-SRT
Website:
www.playfordcollege.sa.edu.au
Contact: 82523044
Email:
[email protected]