Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world and will begin on Sunday, August 19 this year.
Hajj is something Muslim’s must carry out at least once in their lifetime, as it is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Muslims that are unable to perform the pilgrimage for financial and health reason are exempt but can get others to perform Hajj on their behalf.
The event is deeply spiritual and requires a set of rituals that were once performed by the Prophet Muhammad centuries ago.
Mecca was the birthplace of Muhammad and is regarded as the holiest city in Islam.
Before beginning Hajj, the Muslim pilgrims must enter a state of Ihram, where they prepare their bodies and mind for the rituals ahead.
This includes dress codes, where men must wear garments without without stitching and must show their heads.
While for the women it is the opposite as they can wear garments with stitching but must cover their heads.
Other rituals includes walking counter-clockwise around the Kaaba – the holiest site in Islam – to express the devotion of Muslims praying to one God, Allah.
They must also throw stones at three pillars to stone the devil and spend a night in the plain of Muzdalifa.
Hajj begins on the eight day of Dju Al Hijjah, a sacred month in the Islamic calendar.
Dju Al Hijjah means “the month of the Pilgrimage.”
On the tenth day of Dju All Hijjah, Eid al-Adha will commence and those on the pilgrimage will observe the festival.
Eid al-Adha is known as the festival of sacrifice and the special occasion includes prayers, greetings and gifts of various kinds.
Eid al-Adha usually starts with prayers at the Mosque, thanking Allah for the blessings they have received.
Here, they also exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” meaning “blessed Eid”.
In addition, animals, usually a sheep or a goat, are sacrificed and the meat split into three parts.
One third is donated to those who are needy, the second third to relatives, friends and neighbours and the remainder is shared by the family.
Only those who can afford it sacrifice an animal to celebrate.
Read more about Eid al-Adha here.