Hajj – Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca- Begins Today

Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the pillars of Islam and must be performed as a religious duty at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime if he/she is physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.

This year the Hajj occurs between 20 to 25 September. Approximately 3 million pilgrims from all countries will take part. Each day the pilgrims perform certain rituals:

• Day 1 - Ihram: Assume state of purification
• Day 2 – Tawaf: The Saudi King washes Kaaba; circumambulation of Kabaa (Tawaf) inside Grand Mosque (photo); running of 7 lengths between AS Safa and Al-Marwah hills (Sa’y); camp at Mina
• Day 3 – Day of Prayers: Standing at Mt. Arafat; camp at Muzdalifah
• Day 4 – Throwing of stones at three pollars representing Satan (Jumrat); sacrifice of animal
• Day 5 - Same as Day 4 if not already accomplished
• Day 4-6 – Eid al Adha

File photo: Circumambulation of Kabaa (Tawaf) inside Grand Mosque