Fortunately, no photo of George Clooney in Ihram has been posted; this was written by Fadel Al-Ajmi, a well-known Saudi activist on social media, on his Twitter account, criticizing the high prices of Ihram offered by famous fashion companies. The most renowned global brands that have provided Ihram this Hajj season are Giordano and Lomar. Al-Ajmi stated on his Twitter page that global fashion companies, by offering expensive Ihram, are essentially committing fraud by exploiting a religious occasion. Some pilgrims agree with Al-Ajmi. For example, an Egyptian pilgrim named Ahmed Mustafa told the Saudi website Dar Al-Akhbar: 'Using these Ihrams is essentially showboating by wearing clothes with global brands during a sacred occasion, while the purpose of this occasion is to cleanse sins and to make people feel equal.' He emphasized that 'there is no difference between the poor and the rich in this holy place.' With the arrival of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, fashion and clothing companies began offering their Ihrams, many of which are considered expensive. The price of some of these Ihrams has exceeded 200 Saudi Riyals (53 USD), while the price of regular Ihrams ranges from 25 to 35 Riyals (about 7 to 10 USD). The owner of one of the shops selling these Ihrams claims that the high price is due to 'good quality and high-grade fabric' and states: 'The high price of these Ihrams is not a reason for showboating. Many pilgrims prefer these types of Ihrams.' Some pilgrims emphasize that they want to buy high-quality Ihrams, especially since they want to keep them with them during and after Hajj. They take these Ihrams as souvenirs from Hajj, and some wish to be shrouded in them after death. Muhammad Akbar, a pilgrim from Pakistan, told the Arabic Huffington Post: 'This high price is nothing compared to what I will bring back from the holy land.' He added: 'Cheap Ihrams wear out quickly, but I can take a high-quality Ihram with me after Hajj.' He continued: 'After performing the Hajj rituals, I will wash the Ihram with Zamzam water and bless it with the Black Stone.' The situation on social media is similar. Some have criticized the large number of users of these Ihrams by posting the hashtag #Brand_Ihram on Twitter, stating that such actions contradict the 'religious goals of Hajj.' Others, however, disagree with this view and write about the benefits of 'high-quality fabric.'
Is There 'Showboating' in Ihram Clothing?
Fadel Al-Ajmi, a Saudi activist, criticized the high prices of Ihram clothing offered by global fashion brands during Hajj, claiming it exploits a religious occasion. Some pilgrims agree, arguing that the expensive Ihrams contradict the spirit of equality intended in Hajj. This debate highlights the tension between commercialism and religious practices.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Fadel Al-Ajmi criticized the high prices of Ihram clothing from global brands during Hajj, arguing it exploits a religious occasion. This sparked a debate among pilgrims about the appropriateness of expensive Ihrams in a setting meant to promote equality.
- Prices for branded Ihrams exceed 200 Saudi Riyals, while traditional Ihrams cost between 25 to 35 Riyals.
- The debate on social media reflects a divide between those who view high-priced Ihrams as showboating and those who appreciate their quality.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Ihram is a simple garment worn by Muslim pilgrims during Hajj, symbolizing purity and equality. The commercialization of such attire raises questions about the integrity of religious practices.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%