I went to an open house in Kuala Lumpur today. I had no idea or preconceptions of what an open house was but it turned out to be a great idea and I had lots of fun there. Basically an open house is held in a neighbourhood where there is a pilgrim from the neighbourhood making the trip to Mecca.
An open house is held to allow people support pilgrims making the trip to Mecca for Hajj. In this case it was people who work with Dad that were making a 49 day pilgrim to Mecca and another holy city in Saudi Arabia, Medina. Although this is not an essential part of the pilgrimage, many people visit Medina to see the Mosque of the Profit in which lies the tomb of Mohammad.
The pilgrimage to Mecca is central in the life of a Muslim and a pilgrimage can only be made when all other affairs are settled. For many Muslims, the Hajj marks the pinnacle in their spiritual lives.
The general idea is that you arrive at the open house (held in the case between 2 and 4) and have something to eat, meet friends and family and wish the pilgrims well on their journey. You are not expected to stay for the whole 2 hours. Many people would only stay 45 mins. When you are leaving you offer the pilgrims a financial gift to help them on their pilgrim and in turn ask them to pray for you in Mecca.
Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Next time somebody in the neighbourhood is making the trip, another Open House will be held and the neighbourhood will again prepare food and help in anyway. Next time it could be their turn.