(Dec. 29) - The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in present-day
Saudi Arabia. Today, the event draws more than 2.5 million men and women of every race and from every country of the world. This year, it occurs from Dec. 28, 2006 to Jan. 2, 2007.
Find out more about the Hajj and why it is a key event for Muslims:
1.The Hajj is one of the five pillars, or duties, of Islam. Islam teaches that this journey originated with the prophet Abraham, a figure shared with Judaism and Christianity, and that every Muslim with the financial and physical capacity must strive to make this journey at least once in their lifetime.
2.In the Islamic religion, holidays are determined by the Muslim Lunar Calendar, which changes according to the new moon's arrival each month. The Hajj takes place once a year, beginning on the eighth day of the last month of the Muslim year. In 2007, the Muslim New Year's Day is Jan. 20.
3 Special preparation must take place before beginning the Hajj. According to Islamic rituals, Muslims must pay all debts, resolve conflicts with others, plan to have provisions for the journey, as well as secure provisions for any family members who may not be going on the trip. Preparation can begin months or years in advance.
4. Ceremonial clothing called "ihram" is worn by pilgrims making the Hajj. Men wear an ihram made of two plain white pieces of cloth; one is wrapped from the waist to the ankle, and the other is worn over the shoulder. Women wear modest, unadorned white garments, usually a plain white dress, and a head covering. Once these ceremonial garments are on, pilgrims may not shave, cut nails or wear any jewelry. Arguments and acts of violence are also forbidden. The ihram cannot be removed until the Hajj is completed.
5. How long is the Hajj, and what does the journey entail? The Hajj lasts five days, and covers a distance of 15 miles. Pilgrims travel to Mecca,
Saudi Arabia, and remain in a state of prayer and meditation throughout the journey. The first prayer is made at the Kaaba, the Holy Mosque. Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.
6. The Feast of Sacrifice, Id al-Adha, marks the end of the Hajj. The three-day festival begins the 10th day of the 12th month, and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. In ancient times, the journey to Mecca could take months or years to complete, costing many their lives along the way. The festival is symbolic of the safe return of pilgrims to their families.
7. American activist Malcolm X, a leader in the early days of the Nation of Islam, changed his way of thinking after completing the Hajj. He said this of his experience: "There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white...America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem."
8. Famous American Muslims who have performed Hajj include sports greats Muhammad Ali and Hakeem Olajuwon, comedian Dave Chappelle and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad.
