Hajj

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, considered a mandatory religious duty for adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable. The Hajj is a Five Pillars of Islam, along with Shahadah, salat, zakat, and sawm, and is taken to cleanse one's soul of worldly sins. The pilgrimage takes place over five to six days, extending from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. During the Hajj, pilgrims perform a series of pre-Islamic rituals, including walking around the Kaaba, kissing the black stone, and performing the symbolic Stoning of the Devil. The Hajj is associated with the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca stretches back to the time of Abraham. On average, the Hajj attracts around 2.3 million attendees per year, with the highest number of participants recorded in 2012 at 3,161,573.learn more on wikipedia