Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it is required to participate in the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, called in Arabic … what?

The sacred pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca is one of the five core pillars of the Islamic faith. This spiritual journey is known in Arabic as the Hajj, a word that translates to "to intend a journey." It is considered a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in the lifetime of every adult Muslim who has the physical and financial means to do so. The Hajj is a profound experience of devotion, repentance, and solidarity.

Taking place annually during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, the pilgrimage involves a series of complex rituals that retrace the footsteps of the Prophet Abraham and his family. Upon arrival, pilgrims enter a state of spiritual purity known as Ihram, donning simple white garments to symbolize the equality of all believers before God, regardless of wealth, class, or nationality.

The rituals themselves are deeply symbolic, from circling the cube-shaped Kaaba at the heart of the Grand Mosque to performing a series of prayers and acts of remembrance in the surrounding desert plains. For millions of Muslims, completing the Hajj is the spiritual apex of their lives, representing a rebirth and a cleansing of past sins while fostering a powerful sense of global community.