American Youth Academy Re-creates Hajj Journey for Students

The rain Monday morning didn't diminish the excitement of students at  as they arrived to school ready to experience a .

Elementary students tried to restrain their anticipation, smiling and wiggling during prayers, and later as they waited in line for their turn to try out the interactive exhibit.

“A committee of 20 people planned the exhibit,” said Magda Elkadi Saleh, head of school. “Our art teacher, with help from AYA high school kids and parents, made the exhibits. And our Islamic Studies teacher worked with fifth-graders to create the signs for each of the stations.”

All Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to perform Hajj in the holy city of Makkah at least one time in their life.

AYA students wore simple, unstitched white clothing and began their pretend journey with prayers in the school’s mosque. A short clip from the Discovery Channel film, “The Hajj Revealed,” showed students how Muslims from all over the world travel to Makkah each year to perform Hajj.

The children then walked with their parents and school staff to another building where fifth-grade students were ready at each station of the exhibit to help guide the younger ones in the recitations and ceremonies. Vice Principal Mahmoud Gomaa played the role of master of ceremonies, leading the small groups from station to station.

Children were invited to try specific Hajj rituals and then received a brief explanation of the meaning by an older student. For example, at one station, students were offered pebbles to toss at the site (represented by cardboard black and grey pillars) where Satan appeared before Prophet Abraham to discourage him from obeying God’s command to sacrifice his son.

The little Hajj pilgrims were also shown how to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah by walking seven times counter-clockwise around the holy Ka’bah, the sacred House devoted for the worship of God.

 was an honored guest at the event.

“Muslims are 20 percent of the Temple Terrace population,” he said. “For a community our size, we have great diversity—it’s imperative that we have communication with everyone. Last night I attended a Hindu New Year Celebration, and this morning I had the chance to talk with American Youth Academy government students and attend this event.”