(Cleveland, Ohio 1/19/05) -Thousands of Muslims in Northeast Ohio and across the world are observing activities associated with the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Hajj is one of the “five pillars” of the Islamic faith. (The other pillars include a declaration of faith, daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan.) Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey. Cleveland area Muslims to hold communal prayers on Thursday morning, January 20, 2005.
The obligatory and optional activities of Hajj include: