In the first session of the series of specialized sessions on Islamology of Islamic countries' universities, implemented by the efforts of the CINVU International Organization, "The Effect of Hajj Rituals on Physical and Mental Health From the Perspective of Science" was examined by two prominent university professors.

According to the CINVU Public Relations Report, At the beginning of this session, which was held in English and virtually with the participation of university professors from across Islamic countries, Dr. Seyed Ahmad Ahmadi, Associate University Professor and the International Deputy of the Iranian Smart University of Medical Sciences, in his speech, cited the World Health Organization's perspectives on health and mentioned health aspects such as physical health, mental health, spiritual health, etc., and said: Spiritual health is an important characteristic based on values and beliefs that enables human beings to pursue harmony with themselves and others and meet their inner needs with the world.

He continued to express: The Hajj ritual, besides being valuable in various religious, visitation, historical, cultural, and social aspects, has many benefits for the physical and mental health of Muslims, and because it is a testimony to the signs of the mercy and benevolence of the Creator, it strengthens human faith.

This university lecturer added: Looking at the Kaaba, the Masjid al-Haram, the Masjid al-Nabawi, the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and the lands of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat a sense of reverence and submission in humans before the presence of Allah.

He further stated that listening to the recitation of the verses of the Holy Quran, performing prayers, praising the Creator, and fasting instead of fasting strengthen human faith, and continued: Pilgrims purify their souls from impurities through charity, establishing strong bonds of friendship with other Muslims, endurance, and avoiding sins.

This university lecturer also added: Pilgrimage is a universal obligation with a fundamental approach to purification and humanization, however, since human health is one of the most fundamental approaches to worldly life for achieving excellence and elevation, researching the role of Hajj and visitation in human health is a scientific necessity.

He then mentioned the physical benefits of Hajj and added: Improving the immune system and physical health, muscles, and bones through physical activities such as walking, running, standing, and sitting are among the effects of Hajj.

This university lecturer also expressed: Hajj brings a sense of unity and brotherhood because Muslims of all races, colors, languages, cultures, and countries come together to perform Hajj and have an understanding of friendship and love for each other through learning, helping, kindness, and dealing with each other.

He cited the reconstruction of mental health as one of the most important effects of the Hajj ritual and recalled: Hajj reduces stress and anxiety because Muslims, during Hajj, are relieved from worldly worries and problems by relying on God, reduce their stress and anxiety through worship and remembrance of God, and with the experience of a distinctive and spiritually rich journey, accompanied by seeing beautiful and sacred landscapes and creating a sense of tranquility and peace, calm their minds.

Dr. Seyed Ahmad Ahmadi, Associate University Professor and the International Deputy of the Iranian Smart University of Medical Sciences, concluded his remarks as follows: It can be said that Hajj is one of the best and most beneficial Islamic worship practices that transforms Muslims physically and mentally. Hajj is an unparalleled opportunity for closeness to the Creator, strengthening faith, self-improvement, feeling unity and brotherhood, improving physical health, and mental health, reducing stress and anxiety, creating social health, and spiritual health. Therefore, Muslims should take advantage of this opportunity and sincerely and respectfully perform Hajj to benefit from its beneficial effects.

In the continuation of this International Islamology Meeting session, Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman, Associate University Professor and the Head of the Islamic Religious Education Study Program of the Indonesian Tarbuka University, also, in his speech, first referred to the status of Hajj in sociological studies in Indonesia and then expressed: The waiting period for Hajj in Indonesia varies from 16 to 37 years depending on the region, indicating how eager the Indonesian people are to perform Hajj.

He also examined the spiritual aspects of Hajj by referring to verses 97 of Surah Al-Imran and 27-28 of Surah Al-Hajj and added in his speech: Hajj means going to Mecca to perform Tawaf around the Kaaba and other rituals in the Hajj months to fulfill the command of Allah and gain His satisfaction.

This university lecturer continued this session by defining the capabilities of pilgrims: One of the prerequisites of Hajj is enduring the hardships of the journey, so if someone refrains from traveling due to insufficient physical ability, it is not reprehensible because this task is only obligatory for those who are capable.

He continued by stating that wearing the Ihram represents mental health and abstaining from self-centeredness: Tawaf the Kaaba, which is an integral part of Hajj and Umrah, requires performing circuits around the Kaaba, with each round covering approximately 1.4 kilometers, this is while Raml in Tawaf the practice of walking fast (not running or running) is done along with lifting the legs with strength and pushing out the chest in the movement of the shoulders, which is an imitation of the movement of a warrior and it's a sunnah to perform this for the first three rounds before returning to normal walking pace for the final four rounds.

The university lecturer further added: Tawaf directs human thought toward God, and Sa’i symbolizes the continuous struggle that one encounters throughout life, just as Hajar (peace be upon her) experienced it, but with unwavering trust, her prayer was answered, and her wish was fulfilled. For the pilgrim, it is a moment to remind us that life is a struggle.

He continued: Wuquf is a time for contemplation and reflection on one's presence in the physical world, where you are secluded with God in this sacred time, and then it is used for serious repentance and abundant prayer.

At the end of his remarks, Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman, Associate University Professor and the Head of the Islamic Religious Education Study Program of the Indonesian Tarbuka University, referred to the physical health benefits of the Hajj ritual: Cardiovascular health is improved through increased physical activity resulting from walking and performing Hajj rituals, which provides the best potential for improving heart health and blood circulation. Additionally, skeletal and muscular health is enhanced through muscle and joint strengthening via repetitive movements and general physical preparedness due to sustained physical activity, which is among the other effects of this sacred ritual.

According to this report, the series of specialized sessions on Islamic studies of universities in Islamic countries, which is held virtually with the participation of university professors from across Islamic countries in English, is implemented by the efforts of the CINVU and in collaboration with and support from six universities from six Islamic countries, COMSTECH, OIC, MSRT, and ISMI. Based on the planning carried out by the CINVU International Organization, participants in these specialized sessions on Islamic studies, upon successful completion of the final examination, will receive an International Islamology Certificate.

It is worth mentioning, that the CINVU International Organization is one of the Networks affiliated with - COMSTECH - the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that is hosted by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This International Organization is a base full of knowledge and ability, which strives to expand public higher education based on smart technology with the goal of justice, deepening and reliability of knowledge and thought, and educational, research, cultural, and skill empowerment of the Islamic world.