The pilgrimage to Makkah ( Hajj ) is one of the five fundamentals of Islam. It dates back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). For more than fourteen centuries, countless members of Muslims, men and women have made pilgrimages from the birthplace of Islam (Sadar, Badwai n.d).

In Islam the Hajj is obligatory for all men and women once in their life time whose health allow them to go, in Qur'an words "Those who can make their way there". The pilgrimage is not obligatory on children but some parents do take them. The children who accompany with their parents have to fulfill the obligation of Hajj when their age and health permit them.

Pilgrims from seventy nations arrive at Saudi Arabia to start their Hajj. Nowadays it is much easier than the past to travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage (Nawwab 1992).

The Hajj is done only a certain time of the year, from the 8th to the 13th of the last month of the Muslim calendar. As pilgrims begin their Hajj, they experience excitement and joy. During Hajj, the meeting of many other Muslims of different backgrounds give pilgrims a sense of equality (The Hajj 1999).

Author: Haji N. Serpas December 9, 2002
hs1168@albany.edu