Gathering of two million The pilgrimage to the holy city of mecca, which draws two million Muslims every year which is a huge gathering of Muslims. Hajj is one of the five pillars and a journey is required for hajj if you’re physically and financially capable.
Hajj is done in the Islamic month ‘Zulhijjah’ where Muslims go to mecca near the ‘Kabba’, known as gods home. They all pray five times a day hoping for forgiveness and guidance for their daily life.
The hajj is required of all Muslims once in a lifetime. The physically demanding journey tests pilgrims' patience as they withstand long waits and thick crowds on their path to achieving spiritual purification.
“Hajj is all about forgiveness and washing of all our sins”, narrated Mr Riyaz, which show the commitment of all Muslims by also wearing same white cloth called Ihram symbolizing their equality, no matter how rich or poor they are all the same in front of God.
The Kabba is very important as it is the house of God. It was built by prophet Ibrahim and Ismail. Muslims do not worship it but they circle it whilst asking for forgiveness as they are in god’s house.
After a day at Mecca, pilgrims go to Mount Arafat where they through pebbles at the devil, known as ‘Satan’. They do this in the intention of casting away sins which is done for three days. Then at Mount Arafat where they spend a day in meditation and supplication surrounded by a desert where Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon (religious talk).
Written by Hussain Poonawala- Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College
