3m flock to Mecca for Hajj.THREE million Muslims from around the world gathered this week in Mecca, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (sä  `dē ərā`bēə, sou`–, sô–), officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, kingdom (2005 est. pop. , for the annual Hajj hajj (häj), the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, one of the five basic requirements (arkan or "pillars") of Islam. Its annual observance corresponds to the major holy day id al-adha, pilgrimage.
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of pilgrims, including some from the West Midlands, packed out the Grand Mosque, to perform the farewell circling of the Kaaba. They walked seven times around the ancient structure, while praying and reading the Qur'an, Islam's holy book. The ritual is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram for the ancient ritual. During the Hajj the pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic: أركان الإسلام) is the term given to the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. , which every adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their life if they can afford it and are physically able. CAPTION(S): Three million pilgrims throng to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. |
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