Secondary: Hajj Week

"And call people for pilgrimage (Hajj)." Wa a'athen fin-naasi bil-Hajj (Quran 22:27)

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,

Alhamdulillah, all praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions, and all who follow his way.

Each year, as the blessed month of Dhul Hajjah approaches and millions of pilgrims make their way to the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah, our school community pauses to reflect on one of Islam’s most profound obligations — Hajj. It is a journey unlike any other: a journey of the heart, the body, and the soul, in complete submission to Al-Mighty Allah.

This year, Hajj Week at Islamic College of Melbourne was a truly memorable occasion. Our students and teachers came together to commemorate this sacred pillar of Islam through meaningful learning, creative engagement, and inspiring performance. From the lively Hajj quizzes held in homerooms every morning, to the stunning school displays that transformed our assembly area and classrooms into windows into the spiritual world of Hajj, and culminating in a breathtaking theatrical performance of ‘The Year of the Elephant’ by our talented high school students. 

The response from the audience was overwhelming. Students, many of whom had heard this story many times, reported being enjoyed very much. Students who performed said the experience had given them a deeper, more personal relationship with the story of the Prophet’s birth year — a story that is not just history, but divine sign. every moment of this week reminded us of who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for.

“This play helped us connect historical events to lessons about faith, leadership, and consequences. It was challenging but meaningful to bring the story to life for our audience” Year 12B Farhan Ahmed, speaking after the performance.

“Playing a general in Abraha’s army helped me understand how power and obedience can shape people’s actions. It made me think about how easily people can follow authority without questioning what is right or wrong.” — Selam Jaber Year 12D student, 

speaking after the performance.

Seeing the huge elephant and beat of drums on stage made the story feel real and powerful. It helped me imagine how overwhelming the moment would have been for people at that time”- Diyala Elhawli Year 9A Student, speaking after the performance.

As an Islamic Studies teachers, it fills us with deep gratitude and pride to witness our students engaging with their faith not as a subject to be studied in a textbook, but as a living, breathing reality that shapes who they are. When a Year 12 student can explain the wisdom behind the Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, or when a junior student gives details with confidence the significance of the Day of Arafah — that is the fruit of dedicated teaching, 

and the legacy we hope to leave.

May Allah accept from the pilgrims performing Hajj this year, grant us all the opportunity to visit His Sacred House, and bless our school community with knowledge, unity, and Taqwa.

Was-salaam Alaykum,