What Is the Hajj?
2024-06-14
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1Once a year, millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Saudi Arabia, to complete an important religious duty called Hajj.
2The travelers gather in the city of Mecca, carrying out holy acts over several days.
3Hajj is one of the five pillars, or bases, of Islamic belief.
4Here is a look at the religious event and its meaning to Muslims:
5Every Muslim who is financially and physically able is expected to complete at least one Hajj.
6Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The others are declaration of belief, daily prayers, giving to those in need, and fasting. These acts are required.
7The Hajj takes place once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja.
8It is the 12th and final month of the Islamic year.
9The Hajj begins on June 14 this year and ends on June 19.
10Performing Hajj meets a religious requirement for Muslims.
11The pilgrims are to seek God's forgiveness for their wrongdoings.
12They believe the act brings them closer to God.
13Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said for them.
14Some Muslims spend years saving money and making preparations to make the pilgrimage.
15And other barriers can get in the way.
16In 2019, almost 2.5 million Muslims traveled to Mecca for Hajj.
17But the next year saw worldwide pandemic restrictions. Saudi officials restricted the event in 2020 to Muslims who lived in the country.
18Last year's Hajj was the first to be held without COVID-19 restrictions since 2020. Close to 1.9 million people took part.
19Pilgrims declare the will to perform Hajj and they enter a state of "ihram."
20Rules of ihram include the wearing of special clothes by men.
21The aim is to prepare oneself to be humble and a follower of God.
22A spiritual high point of Hajj for many is to stand on the plain of Arafat.
23Pilgrims pray at the site, praising God and asking for God's forgiveness.
24Other religious acts include performing "tawaf" or circling the Kaaba structure in Mecca seven times.
25The Kaaba is a structure that represents the house of God.
26Muslims pray toward the Kaaba wherever they are in the world.
27Pilgrims also follow the path of Hagar, or Hajar.
28She is the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham to Jews and Christians.
29Muslims believe she ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son.
30Among other religious acts, pilgrims throw small stones at structures that represent evil.
31Eid al-Adha, or the "Feast of Sacrifice," is a holiday that begins on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja, during Hajj.
32It is celebrated by Muslims around the world.
33It marks Prophet Ibrahim's demonstration of religious belief by offering his son's life to honor God.
34During the holiday, Muslims kill animals like sheep or cattle and give some meat to the poor.
35I'm Gena Bennett.
1Once a year, millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Saudi Arabia, to complete an important religious duty called Hajj. The travelers gather in the city of Mecca, carrying out holy acts over several days. 2Hajj is one of the five pillars, or bases, of Islamic belief. 3Here is a look at the religious event and its meaning to Muslims: 4What is Hajj? 5Every Muslim who is financially and physically able is expected to complete at least one Hajj. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The others are declaration of belief, daily prayers, giving to those in need, and fasting. These acts are required. 6When is Hajj? 7The Hajj takes place once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja. It is the 12th and final month of the Islamic year. The Hajj begins on June 14 this year and ends on June 19. 8What is the meaning of Hajj to Muslims? 9Performing Hajj meets a religious requirement for Muslims. The pilgrims are to seek God's forgiveness for their wrongdoings. They believe the act brings them closer to God. 10Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said for them. 11Some Muslims spend years saving money and making preparations to make the pilgrimage. And other barriers can get in the way. 12In 2019, almost 2.5 million Muslims traveled to Mecca for Hajj. But the next year saw worldwide pandemic restrictions. Saudi officials restricted the event in 2020 to Muslims who lived in the country. Last year's Hajj was the first to be held without COVID-19 restrictions since 2020. Close to 1.9 million people took part. 13What are some of the religious acts that pilgrims perform? 14Pilgrims declare the will to perform Hajj and they enter a state of "ihram." Rules of ihram include the wearing of special clothes by men. The aim is to prepare oneself to be humble and a follower of God. 15A spiritual high point of Hajj for many is to stand on the plain of Arafat. Pilgrims pray at the site, praising God and asking for God's forgiveness. 16Other religious acts include performing "tawaf" or circling the Kaaba structure in Mecca seven times. 17The Kaaba is a structure that represents the house of God. Muslims pray toward the Kaaba wherever they are in the world. 18Pilgrims also follow the path of Hagar, or Hajar. She is the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham to Jews and Christians. Muslims believe she ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son. 19Among other religious acts, pilgrims throw small stones at structures that represent evil. 20What is Eid al-Adha? 21Eid al-Adha, or the "Feast of Sacrifice," is a holiday that begins on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja, during Hajj. 22It is celebrated by Muslims around the world. It marks Prophet Ibrahim's demonstration of religious belief by offering his son's life to honor God. During the holiday, Muslims kill animals like sheep or cattle and give some meat to the poor. 23I'm Gena Bennett. 24Mariam Fam reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 25_______________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27fast - v. to eat no food for a period of time 28lunar - adj. of or relating to the moon 29humble - adj. not proud: not thinking of yourself as better than other people