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.

Selected Vertebratepests and Their Control in Targetedareas of Dist Toba Tek Singh, Punjab Pakistan

Vertebrate pests e.g. rodents, rabbits, bats, birds, ungulates etc. cause major problem for humans, agriculture & environment. In this study, only mouse and rabbits were selected for the study of their biology and how they can be controlled to obviate the damage they cause to agriculture and its by-products. They are found freely on terrestrial ecosystem, mainly in food crops, warehouses, gardens, in homes etc. Mainly they live by digging holes or by making tunnels in the ground. They are smaller sized mammals but most active around the clock. They have sharp teeth, well adapted sense of smell and hearing. They have whiskers on their mouth that provide special sense to run away from threat place or to detect what is happening around. Mice are mainly nocturnal & their presence can be detected by several ways like tracks, burrows, gnawing activity, and faecal droppings. Rabbit presence can also be detected by faeces, tunnels, tracks etc. Mice are sporadic feeders. Their diet mainly consist of cereals, dry fruits, nuts, butter etc., while rabbits are opportunistic feeders, mainly herbivores found eating grasses, fruits, vegetables etc. As they are part of nature and are necessary to maintain balance in ecosystem, aesthetic value of nature, but they become most irritating when they rush to human localities and found causing damage there. They are very active and motile and sometimes it becomes difficult to observe their activities. By practising a single method to control them and avoid damage they are causing is mostly insufficient. To trap them, several different strategies are adopted so that they can be managed properly and amount of loss can be reduced. Mostly they infect humans by causing diseases to them directly or indirectly, moreover they spoil food, damage the crops, and destroy warehouses & the risk increases many times if they destroy the seeds that have to be sown in the next growing season. Several methods can be applied to control these pests that are practically very important against them. These methods include cage trapping, habitat modification, and control by using rodenticides, anticoagulants and other toxins. Biological control is most safe way to manage them, as no risk factors are involved in this strategy. Predators like hawks, fox, wild cats and dogs etc. are introduced in affected area for selected vertebrate pests (mouse and rabbit) to get rid of them effectively. Their predators easily locate and prey on these pests.