The hajj

Each year about 2 million Muslims from all over the world go to Mecca to do the hajj, this pilgrimage is a pillar of Islam. Once life time all Muslims should perform the hajj. It starts on the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah.The mosque in Mecca is special to Muslims; the ka’aba is located in the middle of the mosque, and it is the direction for Muslims to pray. The pilgrims follow the prophet Muhammad in the biggest annual mass movement of people in the world. The Saudi authorities are taking a huge responsibility to host the hajj. Pilgrims stay in hotels or tents. All pilgrims must be vaccinated to prevent epidemics. Before entering Mecca, pilgrims stop for cleansing rituals, then wear white robes. Pilgrims start their first Tawaf seven time around the Ka’aba, then perform Sa’i and go seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. On the first day of the hajj pilgrims travel about three miles(4.8kms) to Mina for an overnight stay and in the morning they go to Arafat. In the evening pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah where they camp. After that pilgrims go back to Mina to throw seven pebbles at each of the three statues at the Jamraat. The pilgrims will return to Mecca for Tawaf and journey again between the hills of Safa and Marwah and then return to Mina for three days of prayers. Finally will be the last Tawah around the Ka’aba in Mecca.