This week marks the beginning of the holy month of Dhul-Hijjah for Muslims. The first ten days of this month are considered to be among the holiest of the year, as Muslims from around the world gather to perform Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Hajj is one of the “five pillars” of the Islamic faith and is considered to be a once in a lifetime obligation for all Muslims who are physically and financially able.
This year, Saudi officials are predicting that more than three million pilgrims will perform Hajj, and thousands of them will come from Canada. The pilgrimage is a way for people to achieve purification, renew their spirituality and ask sincere repentance from God.
In preparation for Hajj, pilgrims must enter in a state of self-control called ihram in which they are forbidden to harm living creatures or even raise their voice in anger. Men enter this state by wearing two pieces of unstitched white cloth, meant to signify the equality of all men before God. Other obligatory acts include the circling of the Ka’aba, the stone building Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The Ka’aba symbolizes unity because all Muslims, wherever they are, pray in the direction of the Ka’aba. The “Day of Arafah” is the pinnacle of this week-long pilgrimage as all men and women gather on the mountain of Arafah and its surrounding plain near Mecca to pray. For the remaining two days, Muslims are also ordered to throw pebbles at three pillars which represent Satan’s attempt to mislead Abraham.
With the end of the main portion of Hajj, Muslims around the world gather for prayers to celebrate Eid ul-Adha, the second of the two Muslim holidays. On this day Muslims are asked to sacrifice an animal and give the meat to the poor, in remembrance of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command. This year, based on moon sightings, Canadians will celebrate Eid on Thursday, Jan 20 or Friday, Jan 21.
