What is the Islamic hajj?
Philip Saunders, CBC News Online The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca known as hajj is attended by about two million Muslim men and women each year. Located in what is now Saudi Arabia, Mecca is significant because it is considered the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed and the site where Muslim tradition holds that God spoke to the prophet Abraham. Because of this significance Muslims consider Mecca the holiest place on earth and all are expected to make at least one pilgrimage during their lifetime unless hindered physically or financially from making the journey. As well, all Muslims are expected to pray in the direction of Mecca several times every day. There are three forms of performing hajj, but all require wearing a special white garment called the Ihram. The three forms differ in the degree and scope of the pilgrimage rituals. The main differences are the order and number of the rituals, when the Ihram is worn and when, or whether hair is shorn. After hajj is complete Muslims are c
