Every year, millions of Muslims converge on the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca for a four-day Islamic pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage, called the hajj, begins about two months after the end of Ramadan and is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims who can afford it and are physically able must complete the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

Muslims view the hajj as the greatest experience in their spiritual lives. Completing the pilgrimage, they believe, will absolve them of their sins.

The hajj begins in ritual cleansing. Upon arrival, pilgrims wash and then put on plain white clothing meant to symbolize a state of purity. Then they travel to Mecca’s Great Mosque, which can accommodate 4 million worshippers. Inside the mosque is the black-draped Kaaba, a square building that serves as Islam’s most sacred site.

After walking around the Kaaba seven times, pilgrims travel to the plains of Mount Arafat about 12 miles east of Mecca. Here they perform one of the most significant rites of the hajj: wuquf, or standing before God. They spend the afternoon repenting for their sins and seeking God’s mercy. It’s believed that completing wuquf with a pure heart will cleanse them of sin and free them from shame.

Several other sacred rituals happen during the hajj. Pilgrims throw stones at pillars representing Satan, whom they recognize as the source of spiritual battles. They also circle around the Kaaba again, sacrifice an animal, and drink from the holy Zamzam well.

Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice celebrate by Muslims all around the world, marks the end of the hajj. This three-day holiday commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

Muslim men and women who can afford it will make the pilgrimage again and again throughout their lives. Without the lasting peace of Christ, they continue their desperate search for eternal hope and forgiveness.

Please pray that Muslims—especially those on the pilgrimage—will discover His perfect sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:9)!

• Pray for the glory of Jesus Christ to shine in Mecca and for Muslim pilgrims to experience dreams and visions.
• Ask that those who are genuinely seeking God will find Him, be reconciled through the blood of Christ, and receive forgiveness of sins.
• Lift up those who have completed the hajj and pray for a spiritual restlessness that compels them to seek after Jesus, the Living Water.

Main photo by Rendy Maulana

Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/hajj-pilgrimage