I’ve tried a fair bit to put into words my experience on the Hajj… but no matter what I say I can’t quite get the words right!

Anyway, I’ll start with the actual journey…

One thing to explain first is that to go on the Hajj, you need to go as part of a group. There are many agents out there who organise groups and assist you throughout the journey to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible and to ensure you complete the rites as best as you can and provide advice and guidance. To this extent they are more than just tour operators and are more religious guides.

The group I went with was Dome Tours and would like to thank them for making my journey smooth and pleasant.

Everyone I’ve known always says that Hajj is difficult, but to be honest, while it was physically demanding I would say that it was not the least bit difficult. Allah removed all obstacles from my path and provided me with assistance at every stage - everyone I know did their utmost to help my journey go as smoothly as possible.

Anyway, to the journey….

The group organised a coach to take us from Regents Park mosque to Luton airport at 4am. A good friend of mine (Najam) dropped me off.

Now picture the scene… young asian guy…. standing outside one of Europes largest mosques at 4 am…. in the British capital…. all alone….with a large suitcase and rucksack…. What happens next!!! Well I get stopped and searched by the police… now I’m not complaining, they were pleasant and friendly and I had no problems. Its just in hindsight its pleasantly amusing!

At the Luton airport we had no issues and we went through without a problem. We were then given a choice of putting on out Ihram (specific clothing to be worn while completing the hajj and umrah). I decided to put mine on at this point as I didn’t want to struggle on the plane. The Ihram (for men) consists of two pieces of white cloth, one wrapped around the waist covering the lower part of the body and the other over the shoulders – and absolutely nothing else. Once in Ihram certain restrictions apply (i.e not allowed to apply perfume, not allowed to propose) – the reason for these restrictions is that the Hajj is a journey for Allah and certain worldy things become forbidden.

Once on the plane I started talking to the other “Hajji’s” (people who are doing the Hajj). I made a fair few friends with EVERYONE being polite and more than helpful. Sharing and giving advice and gifts. The reason for this is that people were trying to earn as much reward as possible from Allah and everyone’s god consciousness had been raised.

Arriving at Jeddah International Airport, I was prepared for a long wait…. We had been warned that it can take upto 14 hours to get through the airport… (Around 3-4 million people going through the airport in a short period of time).. but we were out in less than one!!!1.

Once through I expected a long wait for coaches (again told it could take a fair few hours to get the coaches again, these arrived in less than 2.

Then began the journey from Jeddah to Makkah. This took around two hours. During the journey we were all say a prayer repetitively (saying O’Allah we are coming)… we had to have a number of stops on the way to hand our passports in……

Eventually we reached the holy city…..

I’ll say more about what happened next soon… so stay tuned!!!!!!!!

I promised to tell you guys all about the Hajj (pilgrimage) to makkah.

The Hajj brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most moving spiritual experiences. For 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men and women from all over the world, have made the pilgrimage to Makkah, the birthplace of Islam.

Before I start telling you about my experience, I thought I’d give some background for all the non-muslims.

The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is an obligation for muslims who have the financial means and physical ability to perform this once in their lifetime (providing certain conditions are met (i.e. its only an obligation on those who are mature/sane etc).

The Hajj involves travelling to Makkah in Saudi Arabia and completing a number of actions. The Hajj is about submitting completely to the will of Allah and removing yourself from worldly affairs during this time.

The pilgrimage is made to the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, where the Ka-bah is situated.

Abraham (peace and blessing be upon him and his family) was ordered by Allah to leave his wife (Hagar) and son (Ishmeal) in this valley. When Hagar and Ishmaels provision ran out, Hagar she ran (seven times) between the mountains of Safa and Marwah looking for aid. When she returned to where she had left Ishmael, she saw water gushing from near his feet. This well had been dug by the angel Gabriel on Allah’s command.

When Abraham returned he was ordered to build a place of worship for Allah at this place, and this is the Ka-bah.

Abraham was also ordered to sacrifice his son Ishmael. While on his way to do this Satan tried to convince Abraham to disobey Allah and not sacrifice Ishmael. Abraham stoned Satan three times. When Abraham was about to sacrifice Ishmael, Allah was merciful and replaced Ishmael with a goat.

When Abraham built the Ka-bah he prayed to Allah to glorify this place. Now fourteen hundred years later millions of people congregate there to worship Allah.

Pilgrimages were made to Makkah since the time of Abraham, but at some point idol worship and pagan rituals were introduced. Eventually Allah sent down his messenger Muhammed (peace and blessing be upon him), who reclaimed the Ka-bah and restored the Hajj to its correct path.