The pilgrims begin arriving by air, sea, and land during the weeks prior to the pilgrimage period. They usually
arrive into Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the major port city nearest to Mecca (45 miles distance). From there they travel
with their Hajj group to Mecca. As they approach Mecca, they stop at one of the designated areas to shower and
change clothing, entering into a state of devotion and purity for the pilgrimage. They then begin reciting an
invocation:
Here I am, Oh God, at Your command!
Here I am at Your command!
You are without associate!
Here I am at Your command!
To You are all praise, grace and dominion!
You are without associate!
The sound of this chant (said in Arabic) echoes over the land, as the pilgrims begin arriving in Mecca by the
thousands for the sacred rites.
CLOTHES TO BE CHANGED:
When undertaking the pilgrimage, Muslims shed all signs of their wealth and societal distinctions by donning simple
white garments, commonly called ihram. The required pilgrimage dress for men is two white cloths, one of which
covers the body from the waist down, and one that is gathered around the shoulder. Women usually wear a simple white
dress and headscarf, or their own native dress. The ihram is a symbol of purity and equality, and signifies that the
pilgrim is in a state of devotion.
While wearing ihram, there are other requirements that Muslims follow in order to focus their energy on spiritual
devotion. Harming any living thing is forbidden -- no hunting, fighting, or vulgar language is permitted. Vanity is
discouraged, and Muslims approach pilgrimage in as natural a state as possible: excessive perfumes and colognes are
not used; hair and fingernails are left in their natural state without trimming or cutting. Marital relations are
also suspended during this time, and marriage proposals or weddings are delayed until after the pilgrimage
experience is completed
Day 1 of the Pilgrimage (8th of Dhul-Hijjah)
On the first official day of the pilgrimage, the millions of pilgrims that have now gathered travel from Mecca to
Mina, a small village east of the city. There they spend the day and night in enormous tent cities, praying, reading
the Qur’an, and resting for the next day.
