February 7, 2006

Men lead fellow Muslims on ritual journey
By Hafsa Naz Mahmood
Daily Herald Staff Writer

Hajj is a journey Muslims are obligated to complete at least once in a lifetime.

For some, one time isn’t enough for this milestone event.

Riaz Akhtar of Oak Brook completed his 11th hajj this year, and Sultan Papa of Lombard completed his fifth.

What force keeps drawing them back to Mecca, Saudi Arabia?

They’re actually group leaders, and they guide dozens of others throughout the journey. In the process, the men said they absorb a type of energy that stays with them until it’s time for the next journey.

 Akhtar and Papa gave their groups, which range from about 40 to more than 100 people, training workshops before the trip and hosted
question-and-answer sessions while they were overseas.

“It’s our job as group leaders to educate them and teach what’s allowed according to Islamic law,” Akhtar said.

Papa said the most interesting part of helping others is the fusion of different cultures, regions, ideas, backgrounds and visions.

“You build a bond with them and it’s like a new friend you make every time,” he said. “It adds up in your list.”

Along with demanding teamwork and patience, having the responsibility of guiding others requires the leaders to talk the talk and walk the
walk.

“When you teach somebody, you also have to do it yourself,” Akhtar said. “It forces you to do things yourself.”

Word has it that the hard work pays off. Akhtar said if someone says a little prayer for him because he helped them complete the journey
correctly, it might help him and his family out somewhere along the line.

Now, Akhtar and Papa agree they have gained peace of mind and happiness, and are fresh and ready to take on 2006.

“It’s actually my way of gathering my resources for the year,” Papa said. “The 15 to 20 days really put me in focus. It helps me relax
(and) it’s something very special.”

Akhtar doesn’t believe in sitting still.

Although he just got home, he’s eager to go back to Mecca and already started planning for the next hajj.

“We kind of learn from our previous experience as to how we should plan for the future,” he said. “The idea is to evolve into a better
way of doing things.”