Hajj

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform. Nevertheless; about two million people go to Mecca each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Mecca is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

Hajj is the highest of all Muslim practices, even if less than 10% of all Muslims ever manage to perform it. In modern times about 2 million Muslims perform the hajj every year, and this number seems to be fairly close to the maximum. Saudi authorities have now put regulations on how many can come from each country, so that anyone who wants to perform the hajj has to apply, and many are turned down.

The hajj is important because it lets the believer come to the place that is both the centre of the world, as well as the place where the divine revelations collected in the Holy Koran started, and continued for about 12 years. But most important, the hajj is a continuation of what according to Islam is one of the oldest true and pure religious rituals (pure in the term that is performed according to God's will).

Firstly the hajji's change into two white pieces of cotton. The hajji's then make their way to the great mosque to perform tawaf. This is when the hajji's circle the kabba.

After leaving the Great Mosque pilgrims move to walk between the hills of safa and maswa. This reminds them of the time when Allah saved Ismail's life by providing a stream for him to drink from when he was in need of water. This stream is now known as the well of zam zam and pilgrims sometimes take water from the well home with them to give to friends and relatives as gifts. Throughout hajj, the pilgrims continuously chant "in response to your call Oh God I am here".

Next they make the 10 mile journey to Arafat. Some walk, others use the buses etc. They must arrive in Arafat by midday the day after safa and marwan. There are no rules on how they should travel. The pilgrims must stay at Arafat for at least 6 hours. It is very hot and there is very little shade.