The Hajj takes place in Saudi Arabia every year, but due to the differences in the Islamic holy calendar and the one used in normal circumstances the dates move each year. The main city in the Hajj is Makkah or Mecca, Medina is the city that Muhammed called home. In both cities it is illegal to entry them unless you are Muslim, even then entry is only for those who live and work there or if the person is on a pilgrimage in the Hajj or Umrah the same as the Hajj but just not during the month of the Hajj.
Meeqat and Ihram The Meeqat is an imaginary boundary outside Mecca. It is a place where intentions regarding pilgrimage are purified and pilgrims enter into a state of Ihram. Ihram is the changing of the mental state to that which is most sacred. Pilgrims prepare to communicate with God in what is believed to be the world's most sacred ground. All men wear the same clothing: two sheets of plain white, unhemmed cotton. This dress is a mark of equality between all humans. It is also a reminder of the shroud Muslims wear in death. For the sake of modesty, women do not have to conform to this dress and may wear any modest clothing and may not cover their face.
Mecca Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It is the pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam. Hajj takes place in the twelth month of the Islamic calendar and every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform this pilgimage at least once in their lifetime. It is a rigorous journey - a reminder of the purpose of life and man's ultimate end. Before going on pilgrimage, Muslims are recommended to discharge all debts, seek the forgiveness of anyone they have upset and re-establish good relations with all. Muslims believe that if their pilgrimage is accepted, all of their sins are washed away.
Umrah Pilgrims first travel to the Kaaba and perform what is called 'the lesser pilgrimage'. They walk around the Kaaba seven times, praising God. Pilgrims then drink from the Zam Zam well. This well is believed to be the one Ishmael and Hagar, son and wife of Prophet Abraham, drank from when they were left in the area. Pilgrims then walk between two mountains called Safa and Marwa, which are a distance of around 500 yards apart, seven times. This is again in remembrance of Hagar, who searched between these mountains looking for water for Ishmael, before the Zam Zam water was found.
The Hajj is a journey that all Muslims have to try to do at least once in their life. It is a journey from the Mosque in Mecca to several holy sights before returning to Mecca for the Eid ul-Adha or feast and sacrifice, but not done by the pilgrim but by butchers who receive a voucher from the pilgrim to say they have done the Hajj.
The distance the pligrims travel is the same as walking from Carlogie school to Cineworld in Dundee next to Camperdown Park.
Mina Before and after the main Hajj, pilgrims stay in hotels. After the lesser pilgrimage, pilgrims return to their hotels. On the 8th day of the month, they remake their intentions and repeat their Ihram for the main pilgrimage. Pilgrims travel to Mina. This a large area of land a few kilometres away from the Kaaba and is completely tented. Mina is a preparation for the following day. Pilgrims stay in tents, each of which is big enough for about 100 people. The day of Mina is a feast day. Pilgrims meet Muslims from all around the world and spend their time making friends, as well as reciting the Qur'an and remembering God.
The next morning, on the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims leave Mina for Mount Arafat. This is considered the highlight of the hajj, which involves the performance of a contemplative vigil near the hill where Muhammad gave his last sermon. Pilgrims must spend the afternoon within a defined area on the plain of Arafat until after sunset. No specific rituals or prayers are required during the stay at Arafat, although many pilgrims spend time praying, talking to God, and thinking about the course of their lives. [5]
Muzdalifah After the evening prayers, pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah, another massive plain. Three million pilgrims spend the night here, under the stars, with no tents or other covering. People stay close to their groups and their guides so they do not become lost in the multitudes of people. Hajj is one of the best examples of how humans regardless of race, sex, language or status, can live without discrimination. The process of the pilgrimage was carried out by the Prophet Muhammad in remembrance of Prophet Abraham. Muhammad performed Hajj only once in his lifetime, despite living in the city
Jamaraat The day after Arafat is Eid for the rest of the Muslim world. Pilgrims do not celebrate Eid in the normal way, however, as they have yet to complete the rites of Hajj. After leaving Muzdalifah, pilgrims make their way over to the Jamaraat. The Jamaraat are three tall, stone pillars which represent Satan. The pillars remind pilgrims of the three temptations that were presented to Abraham as he was getting ready to sacrifice his son. Just as Abraham resisted the temptations, pilgrims symbolically reject Satan and all of life's temptations, by throwing pebbles at the pillars.
One of the three pillars in the underground walk way.
Final part of the Hajj is the return to Mecca where they celebrate Eid ul-Adha with a feast and then on the final day they walk around the Ka-ba again to end their pilgrimage. Some Muslims then go to the city of Medina where they go to see where Muhammad was buried and lived a great deal of his life.
