Hajj (Hadj)

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HAJJ (Hadj)

Arab word for the pilgrimage that every Muslim must make once in his or her life. Accomplished in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar (dhû al-hijja), it consists of a ritual visit to the holy sites in Mecca. The pilgrimage confers upon the person who completes it the title of hajj or hajja (for a woman), which is added to his or her name. The lesser pilgrimage to Mecca (umra) can be accomplished anytime in the year and does not require the fulfillment of any particular ritual obligations.

SEE ALSO Islamic Calendar;Umra


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