The Hajj

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. About 2 million Muslim go to Mecca yearly. Only people who are healthy and can afford to do it once in their lives. The Hajj begins in the last month of the Islamic year (Dhul-Hajjah). The mosque in Mecca is called the Ka’aba where all Muslims face the Ka’aba direction five times a day when they are praying. This mosque was built by Abraham and his son Ishmail. The pilgrims retrace the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad. These pilgrims should be vaccinated to avoid diseases. The crowd of people is a big problem for Saudi authorities. Before entering Mecca, men pilgrims should shave their heads, trim their beards, cut their nails and wear two-piece of seamless white robe. Also, women wear white long robes but uncover their faces. The first step is Tawaf which is an anticlockwise procession, seven times around the Ka’aba. Then pilgrims perform Sa’i which is going seven times between the two hills Safa and Marwah. First day in the Hajj, Pilgrims walk three miles to Mina and stay a night. On the second morning, they move to the plain of Arafat. In the evening they travel to Muzdalifah and camp that night. All pilgrims should throw seven pebbles in each day of the Jamraat and the pilgrim should slaughters a sheep. The pilgrims go back to Mecca and do Tawaf and Sa’I. They return to Mina for three days of prayers. Farewell Tawaf is the last ritual of the Hajj.

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