Once a year, Muslims from across the globe travel to Mecca, Saudi-Arabia for a pilgrimage each follower of Islam must perform at least once in their life.
The five-day pilgrimage this year starts on Sunday, August 19 and end on Friday, August 24.
The holy pilgrimage is associated with the life of Islamic prophet Muhammad.
It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims to complete Hajj, where they will undertake a series of holy rituals.
So why do all Muslims have to take part in Hajj pilgrimage?
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Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and a mandatory religious duty for all Muslims.
The other pillars of Islam are Shahadah (belief in the oneness of God and acceptance of Muhammad as a prophet), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity) and Sawm (fasting).
Men and women who can physically and financially undertake the journey, are required to do so at least once in their lifetime.
During Hajj participants will show their submission to Allah.
The event is deeply spiritual and requires a set of rituals that were once performed by the Prophet Muhammad centuries ago.
Before beginning Hajj, the Muslim pilgrims must enter a state of Ihram, where they prepare their bodies and mind for the rituals ahead.
By wearing simple garments, they are supposed to make Muslims appear equal regardless of wealth or status.
Men must wear garments without stitching and show their heads, whilst for women it is the opposite; they can wear garments with stitching but must cover their heads.
Other rituals carried out during Hajj include walking counter-clockwise around the Kaaba – the holiest site in Islam – to express the devotion of Muslims praying to one God, Allah, and throw stones at three pillars to stone the devil.
Muslims must also spend a night in the plain of Muzdalifah, an open area near Mecca.
When is Hajj 2018?
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.”
In Saudi Arabia, the date of Eid al-Adha determines the date of Hajj.
Eid al-Adha, which is the second of two Islamic holidays, falls on the tenth day of Dju Al Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar.
The start of Eid al-Adha is determined by the moon sighting, applied on the 29th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar.
This year the crescent was reported seen on Saturday, August 4, making Sunday, August 12 the first day of the Eid al-Adha.
This vary from year to year, and the dates drift about 11 days earlier each year.