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Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - 07.15 GMT |
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Millions join Hajj pilgrimage |
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At least two million Muslims from around the world have come to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the holy journey called the Hajj Pilgrimage.
Every Muslim is expected to make the journey at least once in their lifetime if they are fit enough and can afford it. During the Hajj, Muslims walk around the Kaaba, which is the cube-shaped building inside Mecca's Grand Mosque. They follow in the steps of the Prophet Muhammad and spend time praying. Part of the pilgrimage is to climb Mount Mercy, where the Prophet is said to have given his last sermon.
The Hajj pilgrimage is currently the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. Each year, millions of people from different countries travel to Mecca, retracing the Prophet Muhammad’s journey some 1,400 years ago. Pilgrims enter a realm that recognises the common human bond; free of tribalism, colour prejudices, provincialism, social hierarchy, and other divisions that lead to antagonism.
Traditionally, Haj is looked upon as a kind of death, because the Quran repeatedly describes death as a meeting with God. The Kaaba is the House of God; so Haj becomes a kind of death, and the return similar to being born again. Sincere pilgrims are absolved of sins on this day of forgiveness and given a second chance to stay on the righteous path.
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