Beyond Ritualism: Impact and Implications of Ḥajj on the Society of Pakistan

Ḥajj―an annual Islamic congregation―is a supreme manifestation of Faith (Imān) in which muslims assemble to pronounce explicitly their subservience and loyalty to Almighty Allah alone. Besides freeing themselves from the squalor of Shirk, Muslims satiate their souls with the feelings of ‘Faith’ and ‘Unity.’ This fact is purely accomplished when the Muslims shed off their outer difference by donning the dress of unity (Iḥrām). Ḥajj is a perfect blend between ‘Creator’ and ‘creature’, ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ on the one hand and an enduring and invaluable expression physically, socially, and materially on the other. From this pragmatic Institution, Pakistan―one of the premier countries of the Islamic world―can derive unprecedented benefits politically, socially, and economically. One of the important objectives of the paper is to describe the significance of Ḥajj to the people of Pakistan. In so doing, the paper examines and explores, objectively and analytically, the institution of Ḥajj and its implications on the Muslim world, particularly Pakistan. The first section of the paper, “Ḥajj―At a Glance”, presents meaning and historical background of Ḥajj. The second section “Revitalizing the Ḥajj”, besides presenting the revitalization of the Institution by the final Messenger (peace be upon him) also gives an overview of some of the very important rituals to be realized (during Ḥajj). The subsequent sections, “Socio-Economic Dimension of Ḥajj” and “Ḥajj―Implications and Impact on the Society of Pakistan”, describe respectively the socio-economic impact and leverage of the Ḥajj on the Muslim world in general and on Pakistan in particular. The study is followed by “Conclusion” wherein it has been argued that the Ḥajj can bring an immense transformation and positivity in a country if its sweetness is sought in all earnestness.

Food Habits, Feeding Seasonality and Assessment of Damage Inflicted by the Indian Crested Porcupine, Hystrix Indica, in Different Agro-Forestry Systems of the Punjab, Pakistan

In Pakistan, Hystrix indica is abundant and distributed all over the country. It has been identified as a serious pest of traditional as well as non-traditional crops, trees and shrubs. The prospective porcupine belt of the Punjab has been divided into four ecological zones i.e., rainfed Pothowar belt; irrigated forest plantations and embankment of link canals, desert lands and agricultural lands. The fecal pellets and stomach contents of H. indica were collected from the randomly selected sites. An analysis of 131 stomachs contents and 480 fecal pellets revealed that 44 species of different plants were consumed by the porcupine as food. H. indica mainly likes to consume agricultural crops including vegetables and fruits rather xeric vegetation. It is analysed that the diet of the porcupine comprised of vegetable matter, roots, seeds, leaves, stems, spikes, tubers, flowers and pods. Maximum food diversity was found in irrigated forest plantations. The data collected on tree debarking in plantations revealed serious damage to different tree species. The incidence of damage to Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo, Morus alba and Albizzia procera averaged 15.16±2.04, 15.18±1.79, 12.38±1.86 and 3.44±0.04% respectively. However, the degree of damage to different tree species among the plantations showed highly significant difference. Damage to mature tree of Acacia modesta, Populus deltoides and Tamarix aphylla was not recorded. On an average, plant nursery of Bombix ceiba, Dalbergia sissoo and Alibizzia procera received 58.4±4.00, 9.81±2.69 and 6.79±2.23% damage respectively. Up rooting stumps of Dalbergia sissoo, Bombix ceiba and Eucalyptus camaldulensis after transplanting is a characteristic behaviour of Indian crested porcupine that was commonly observed in the plantations or on farms visited. Necessary control measures are also suggested.