Makkah Pilgrimage - The Holy City of Islam

It would be no exaggeration to say that for the followers of Islam, Makkah pilgrimage is the key cornerstone of all their religious aspirations in life.

Makkah pilgrimage is an integral part of the five pillars of Islam which among other things also stipulates that every devout follower of the religion needs is to go on Hajj at least once during his or her lifetime. The sacred Makkah pilgrimage is considered to be highly auspicious during Dhul Hijjah, the closing month of the Islamic year in Saudi Arabia.

Undertaking Makkah pilgrimage during Umrah (period other than the month when Hajj is observed) is rather considered to be an individual act. But Makkah pilgrimage during Hajj has its special religious aura since followers of Islam gather from all over the world and during this month, the distinctions among visitors on social status, wealth, nationality or colour lines practically get obliterated.

Every pilgrim who is undertaking Makkah pilgrimage aspire to visit the Holy Kaaba in Makkah's Grand or Inviolable Mosque. Makkah pilgrimage is also enlivened by several other landmarks associated with Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife Haggar, their son Ismail (Ishmael), and the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Another major rule which a pilgrim has to perform during Makkah pilgrimage is the sevenfold circling of the Holy Kaaba and this rite is termed as Tawaf.

Every year, Makkah pilgrimage is set into the motion about two months before the beginning of Dhul Hijjah when pilgrims start pouring in to the place from all corners of the world. For Makkah pilgrimage, majority of pilgrims take the sea route and land at Jeddah seaport. In fact, pursuing Makkah pilgrimage via sea route has been a strong historical trend. But ever since the beginning of King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA) in 1981, some pilgrims also opt to undertake their Makkah pilgrimage via the air route now.