Knowra Hajj Hajj Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able. Its rites take place mainly in Mecca and nearby sites during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Ihram : A sacred state entered before performing Hajj or Umrah, with rules governing conduct and dress. Pilgrims enter this state before beginning Hajj rites.
Five Pillars of Islam : The five foundational acts of worship in Sunni Islam: declaration of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage. Hajj is the fifth pillar, required of those able to undertake it.
Abraham : A patriarch revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, whose covenant with God is central to these traditions. Islamic tradition connects Abraham and Ishmael with the Kaaba's foundations.
Hajj visa : A Saudi authorization required for most foreign pilgrims to enter the country for Hajj. Pilgrims generally need this authorization to attend the annual pilgrimage.
Globalization of Islam : The historical spread and growing worldwide presence of Islam through migration, trade, scholarship, and conversion. Hajj brings Muslims from many regions into a shared religious gathering.
Tawaf : The ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba, performed seven times in a counterclockwise direction. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba as a central rite of Hajj.
Dhu al-Hijjah : The twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Hajj takes place. Hajj rites occur on specific days of this month.
Hagar : A figure in Abrahamic scripture and Islamic tradition, associated with the search for water in the Meccan valley. Sa'i commemorates her search between Safa and Marwa.
Hajj quota : A country-specific limit on the number of pilgrims permitted to perform Hajj in a given year. Quotas regulate access as demand exceeds the sites' capacity.
Hajj in the colonial era : The organization and experience of Hajj under European colonial rule, including new controls on travel and public health. Colonial authorities regulated pilgrimage routes and movement across their territories.
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