Hajj: The Physical and Spiritual Journey to Mecca

Hajj is a religious duty which all capable Muslims must undertake at least once in their lifetime. It involves both a physical journey to Mecca, the most holy city in Islam, and a spiritual journey toward faith, humility and submission.

The date of Hajj is determined by the lunar Islamic calendar, which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, Hajj's date varies from year to year on the Gregorian calendar.

Men wear ihram garments — two white seamless cloths wrapped around the waist and draped around the shoulder. Women's ihram garments may be different colors but must cover everything except their hands and faces.

Adherents enter ihram, a sacred state, and don their ihram garments. They then journey to Mecca and complete the following rites: Tawaf: Pilgrims walk counterclockwise around the Kaaba seven times while touching, kissing or pointing at it. Sa'ay: Pilgrims travel between Safa and Marwah seven times. Arafat: At Arafat, pilgrims repent their sins, listen to sermons and seek the mercy of God. Stoning the Devil: Pilgrims throw stones at a set of pillars (or walls) representing the devil. Sacrificing an Animal: Pilgrims sacrifice animals or purchase vouchers which see animals slaughtered and their meat donated to the poor. Removing One's Hair: Pilgrims either shave or trim their hair.

Pilgrims conclude their journey by returning to Mecca and performing a farewell Tawaf.

柬埔寨：外資新樂園

朝覲是所有有能力的穆斯林一生必須至少從事一次的宗教義務。它包含了前往麥加這個伊斯蘭最神聖城市的身體力行之旅，也是個和信仰、謙遜及順從有關的心靈之旅。
朝覲的日期由屬陰曆的伊斯蘭曆而定，伊斯蘭曆大約比公曆少十一天。因此，朝覲的日期在公曆上年年都不同。
男性穿著朝覲服──為環繞腰部並披掛在肩上的兩塊白色無縫合線的布。女性的朝覲服可能顏色不一，但必須包覆全身，除了手和臉部以外。
信徒開始潔淨身心的受戒儀式，也就是一種神聖的狀態，並穿上他們的朝覲服。然後他們前往麥加，完成下列宗教儀式： 塔瓦夫：朝聖者以逆時針方向繞行天房七次，一邊觸摸、親吻或指向它。 剎伊：朝聖者在薩法和麥爾臥兩座小山丘間來回七趟。 阿拉法特：在阿拉法特山上，朝聖者懺悔他們的罪，聆聽佈道，並尋求神的寬恕。 投石砸魔：朝聖者向代表魔鬼的柱子或石牆丟擲石頭。 牲畜獻祭：朝聖者以動物獻祭，或是購買代宰牲畜的票券，而宰殺下來的肉則捐贈給窮人。 削髮：朝聖者刮鬍或理髮。
朝聖者返回麥加並執行告別塔瓦夫儀式，結束朝覲之旅。