Hajj
Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim; edited by jjron, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
The annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims and is the largest annual gathering of people in the world. It occurs between the 8th and 12th of the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah. Hajj is that symbolic pilgrimage when millions of Muslims from around the world belonging to different ethnic groups, socioeconomic strata and cultures travel to Mecca together to praise Allah and ask for forgiveness of their sins.
The five day spiritual Hajj, which dates back to the 7th century of the Gregorian calendar, is designed to promote the bonds and affection between Muslim communities and shows that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah by wearing simple white garment Ihram. Pilgrims spend days worshiping in and around the holy city of Mecca and performing the rituals that make up the Hajj.
UnderstandThe Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam; every adult Muslim is supposed to do it at some time in their life if health and finances permit.
PrepareUnless you are a citizen of Saudi Arabia you will need a Hajj visa. Visas are allocated on a quota system, based on the number of Muslims in a country.
Get inBefore entering Mecca, pilgrims pass through the "Miqat" boundary, inside of which they must be in Ihram or a state of holiness in uniformity, regardless of gender and social status.
Get aroundMecca's Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line (Arabic: قطار المشاعر المقدسة الخط الجنوبي, English: The Sacred Sites Train Line) is Saudi Arabia's first metro line, and was specifically catered to shuttle pilgrims…
UmrahUpon arriving in Mecca and checking into a hotel, pilgrims head to Masjid al-Haram and do Tawaf which involves walking around the Kaaba four times at a fast pace and three times at a slow pace.
HajjThe traditional Hajj route is as follows:
BuyIt is fairly common for pilgrims coming from carpet-producing areas (much of the Muslim world) to bring along a few rugs to sell along the way to help finance their trip.
Stay healthyThe Hajj brings together vast multitudes of pilgrims from all around the world.
Stay safeThe Hajj attracts dangerously huge crowds with multiple associated risks. From 1990 to 2015, 2,777 pilgrims were killed in crushes or stampedes. A crowded tent city in Mina burned in 1997, killing 340.
Go nextSpecial visas for Hajj are strictly limited to Mecca, Medina, Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah.g. medical emergencies).
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Hajj" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim; edited by jjron, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons