The Hajj Pilgrimage

Overview

The Hajj (Arabic: الحج) is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it is required to perform it at least once in their lifetime.

The rituals

The Hajj takes place in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah and involves a series of rituals, including the circling of the Kaaba (tawaf), the standing at Arafat, and the stoning of the pillars at Mina. Pilgrims wear simple white garments to emphasise equality.

Scale

The Hajj is the largest recurring gathering of people in the world, with millions of pilgrims participating each year. The Saudi government invests heavily in the infrastructure of Makkah and the surrounding sites to accommodate them.

Umrah

The Umrah is a lesser pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of year and does not replace the Hajj.