Hajj is the religious pilgrimage of the Muslims (Submitters in English) to Mecca in today"s Saudi Arabia. It is observed by the Muslims (Submitters in English) during the four sacred months of the Islamic Lunar calendar. In response to God"s orders to observe Hajj, the submitters (Muslims in Arabic) commemorate God and glorify Him continuously during this religious trip to Mecca. Submitters (Muslims ) make a pilgrimage to the sacred city at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it physically and financially. The Hajj is one of the "five pillars" of Islam (Submission), and thus an essential part of Muslims" faith and practice.

Muslims  (Submitters) from all over the world travel to Mecca (Makkah) (in modern- day Saudi Arabia). Before arriving in the holy city, Muslims  (Submitters) enter a state of consecration (dedication) known as ihram, by removing their worldly clothes and putting on the humble attire of pilgrims. It consists of two seamless white sheets for men, and simple white dresses and traditionally, scarves for women. The white garments are symbolic of human equality and unity before God, since all the pilgrims are dressed similarly. Money and status no longer are a factor for the pilgrims - the equality of each person in the eyes of God becomes paramount.

Upon arriving in Meccah (Mecca), pilgrims perform the initial tawaf, which is a circular, counter- clockwise procession around the Ka"bah. All the while, they state in Arabic "Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk," which means "Here I am at your service, O God, Here I am!" The tawaf is meant to awaken each Muslim"s consciousness that God is the center of their reality and the source of all meaning in life, and that each person"s higher self-identity derives from being part of the community of believers. Pilgrims also perform the sa"i, which is hurrying seven times between the small hills named Safa and Marwah, reenacting the Biblical and Quranic story of Hajar"s desperate search for lifegiving water and food.

Next, the pilgrims travel a few miles to the plain of Mina and camp there. From Mina, pilgrims travel the following morning to the plain of Arafat where they spend the entire day in earnest supplication and devotion. That evening, the pilgrims move and camp at Muzdalifa, which is a site between Mina and Arafat. Muslims stay overnight and offer various prayers there.

Then the pilgrims return to Mina , and throw seven pebbles at a stone pillar that represents the devil. This symbolizes rejection of the polytheistic views of Satan. Then the pilgrims sacrifice an animal e.g. sheep. The meat from the slaughtered sheep is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and poor and needy people in the community. After the sacrifice, the pilgrims return to Mecca to end the formal rites of Hajj by performing a final tawaf and sa"i.

Submitters (Muslims) believe the rites of the Hajj were designed by God and taught through prophet Abraham and the other prophets all the way to Muhammed. Submitters (Muslims) believe that since the time of Adam, there have been many prophets and messengers, including such well-known figures as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and David, and that Muhammad was a messenger of God and the final prophet and that Qur"an is His Final scripture.

The Hajj is designed to develop God consciousness and a sense of spiritual uplift. The pilgrimage also enables Muslims from all around the world, of different colors, languages, races, and ethnicities, to come together in a spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood to worship the One God together.