Colors of Mecca - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Muslim pilgrims fill Mecca in the Dhu al-Hijjah month. This is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Dhu'l-Hijjah does not depend on the time of year. It is determined solely from the position of the earth's satellite. So this month can be in summer, autumn, winter or spring. It is at this time that millions of pilgrims arrive for the Hajj in Mecca. It is forbidden to harm all living things, even when it comes to plucking grass or branches; to smoke; to wear jewelry and to use incense during the pilgrimage. Men wear special clothes during Hajj. And a woman can wear the usual clothes but must keep her face and hands covered.

All major Hajj events take place at the end of the first seven days of the month of Dhu al -Hijjah in Mecca. The rite of worship of the Kaaba is performed first. Hundreds of thousands of people perform this ritual every day, arriving in Mecca not for the Hajj, but for Umrah. This is a small pilgrimage that is not limited by time frames. The Kaaba is revered as the stone that Allah gave to Adam. This happened when Adam, banished from Paradise, arrived at the place where Mecca is located now. According to legend, it was originally a huge white ruby, which turned black from the touch of hundreds of thousands of sinners.

Sai is the second most important element of both Hajj and Umrah. It is a run between the Safa and Marwa hills, located near the city. Pilgrims first climb to the top of the Safa. Then they turn to face the Kaaba and say a prayer to the Almighty, asking him to protect them from troubles and misfortune. Then the faithful descend on foot from the hill, reach the pillar set at the foot of the hill and run from it to another similar pillar set at Marwa. Then they climb to its top. The pilgrims are once again turning to face the Kaaba and pray again at the top. The ritual must be repeated seven times. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Sai is the second and last necessary ritual of Umrah. That is why there are many pilgrims near the hills at any time of the year. Although this act is not considered mandatory in many Muslim theological traditions, many people who practice Islam try to perform both Umrah and Hajj during their lives. In addition to visiting the Kaaba on the seventh day of the Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims must also visit the Haram Mosque for Hajj. The Imam reads the duties of the pilgrims here.

The next eighth day is called Yaum at-Tarwiya. It's a thirst-quenching day. Pilgrims, who perform Hajj at this time in Mecca, massively store water. They also travel to Mount Arafat through the nearby Mina and Muzdalifah valleys. It is located twenty-five kilometers from the city. A special camp for pilgrims has been functioning for about 10 years in the Mina valley during the Hajj. It is customary to spend the night from 8 to 9 day Dhu al-Hijjah here. The so-called standing at mount Arafat takes place on a ninth day. It is considered the Central ritual of Hajj. Pilgrims not only see the sacred mountain but also pray and listen to sermons at this time. After sunset, it is prescribed to run back to the valley of Muzdalifah and pray all night.

No one sleeps at this time also in Mecca. It is customary to pray and keep the fast regardless of whether Muslims perform Hajj or not. The pilgrims collect seven stones in the valley of Muzdalifah. They return to the camp in the valley of Mina on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah. Here all seven stones should be thrown into the last of the three pillars, which symbolizes the Devil. It's customary to make sacrifices after that. A camels, bulls or goats are mandatory animals as a sacrifice for pilgrims and devout Muslims both in Mecca and beyond. It is customary to eat part of the sacrificial meat and distribute the rest to the poor at this time. Men ritually shave after the sacrifice. And women cut a lock of hair.

Here, in the valley of Mina, it is customary to bury cut hair. After that, the Hajj pilgrims return to the city. They again walk around the Kaaba, the walls of which are already covered with a new veil. Over the next three days, the pilgrims continue to offer sacrifices, return to the Mina valley and throw stones at the three pillars. All rites end on the 14th day of the Dhu al-Hijjah month. Pilgrims come out of ihram state. All ritual restrictions cease to apply to them. Now everyone who went to Hajj has the title of Hajji.

All Muslim holidays are celebrated on a huge scale in Mecca. This is especially true of Eid al-Fitr. This is a holiday in honor of the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, during which it is customary not only to make a festive prayer and collect alms but also to put a lot of dishes on the tables, invite friends and relatives to visit. A lot of attention is paid to entertainment for children on this day. Shops are not open in the city on this day. In addition to religious holidays, al-Yaom al-Watani is also celebrated. This is the national day, which is celebrated on September 23. All official offices are closed at this time. It is worth noting that foreigners are not allowed to celebrate. They must stay in special city areas. Exceptions are only those foreigners who are invited to visit by the citizens.