Today, July 7th, 2022, marks the first day of The Hajj.
For many Muslims, this marks an important day within the 70 days of the pilgrimage season. Muslims who are physically and financially able, and who can afford to take care of family while they are gone, are required to perform the Hajj.
This journey involves extraordinary travel logistics. It’s a physically demanding journey that tests pilgrims’ patience as they withstand long waits and thick crowds on their path to achieving spiritual purification and repentance. The entire pilgrimage lasts 7 full days.
The Hajj attracts attracts about three million pilgrims every year from across the world making it arguably the largest annual gathering of people in the world today.
The Hajj ends with the celebration called Eid al-Adha. The celebration involves a feast of meat shared and distributed to the needy, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. The returning pilgrim is also entitled to use the honorific ‘hajj’ before their name which indicates they have successfully completed the pilgrimage.
Below is a small example of what the Hajj looks like at a glance.
Do you know anyone who has taken the Hajj or a similar pilgrimage? Let us know in the comments below.
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Resources/Sources: The below links offer more information about the Hajj including traditions, history, origins and travel details.
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[…] al-Adha marks the culmination of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Festivities usually lasting three to four days are celebrated by […]