Last month hundreds of Muslim communities from around the world travelled to Meccato mark the fifth pillar of the Islamic faith (hijja). Muslims go to Meccaonce every 12th month of the Islamic calendar (Dhul Hajji).
Paying Hijja is a must to every Muslim around the world. The Muslims who go toMecca for Hijja first arrive at Jidah (town in Saudi Arabia) for clearance. Sheikh Muzaata Bate, one of the Muslim leaders inKampala says that from Jidah, Muslim pilgrims go to Mecca or medina before they visit other places. While Muslims are inMeccaor Medinah, they are required to put on Ihram (Hijja clothes). Women are supposed to put on white Ihrams while their counterparts the men put on unsown Ihrams.
Muslims also visit Minah city and sleep at Arafa on the 8th day of the month of Dhul. Muslims are also required to fast for at least a day while at Arafa before they go to Muzidalifah city and also have a night there. Muslims also kiss a black stone, throw stones at Jamarat (a place where they believe Satan lives) and later they walk around the Kaaba seven times.
Able bodied Muslims also have to run the distance between the town ofMarwahand Safah and whoever finishes the running as to laugh loudly in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim who was told to sacrifice his child but later God gave him a lamb to sacrifice. Hijja cerebrations last for 12 days during the month of Dhul.
By Walakira Nyanzi