• Celebrating Hajj 

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is recommended for believers who are physically and financially able to complete it at least once in their lifetime. For Muslims, Hajj is a major life goal that may involve many years of planning and saving. The journey is both spiritual and practical, involving visa coordination, travel arrangements and physical preparation.

Performed during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, Hajj retraces the footsteps of the Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael), as well as Hagar. It emphasises unity, humility, and equality before God.Key rituals for pilgrims include entering a state of sacred purity, circling the holy Kaaba in Mecca seven times counterclockwise, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah to honor Hagar's search for water, the Day of Arafat: the spiritual pinnacle of Hajj and performing the symbolic stoning of the devil at three pillars in Mina.

The conclusion of Hajj is marked by Eid al-Adha, a major global festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide – including local communities in Sri Lanka. For non-pilgrims, this is a day of celebration and community. With Eid-Al-Adha nearly upon us, The Daily Morning Brunch reached out to some of our readers for their perspectives on this spiritual festival. 

The significance of Hajj

Hajj is considered a transformative act of worship. It is meant to remind believers of equality  and devotion while reminding many about the importance of faith. All pilgrims wear simple clothing and remove visible differences in wealth or status as they focus on spirituality.

“What I like about Hajj is that you are equal to everyone else no matter how rich and powerful you are,” Mifla Sajjaad,31, said. “Many people often think and act superior or put people down, so Hajj serves as a stark reminder.” 

Many pilgrims describe Hajj as something they feel called to do. 

“Before Hajj, I thought it was just a trip,” Ahmed Ismail, 31,said. “But I realised that this is a deep and spiritual journey that makes us humble.” 

The logistics of the Hajj pilgrimage

Preparing for Hajj in Sri Lanka is often a long process. The cost is high, so many families save money for years. Some people delay other life plans, such as home renovations or business investments, to afford the pilgrimage. 

Applications are managed through approved Hajj operators and the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs alongside the Hajj and Umrah committees . “I started saving for Hajj for a year before I went,” Amru Rizvi, 28, said. “Every month I put aside a small amount even when it was difficult.” 

Rizvi shared that despite the challenges, the journey was worth it, both from a spiritual lens, as well as from being able to journey and experience different places as a traveller.

Pilgrims also prepare mentally. Many describe the process as emotional, because it marks a major turning point in their lives. “I was not only traveling to another country but I was taking my young child too,” Mariyam Sulaiman, 28, said. 

Experiencing Hajj as a pilgrim 

The main rituals of Hajj take place in and around Mecca. The first major act is Tawaf, where pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times. The movement is slow due to large crowds but pilgrims often describe the experience as peaceful despite the pressure.

Standing at Mount Arafat is one of the most important moments of Hajj. Pilgrims spend the day in prayer, reflection and asking for forgiveness for their sins. Many  describe this as the most emotional part of the entire journey.

“It reminds us that the almighty is merciful,” Ismail said. “And that leads us to be grateful.” 

Medina is also an important stop, where pilgrims visit the Prophet’s Mosque. Many spend time there in prayer after completing the main rituals.

Conditions during Hajj can be physically difficult. Heat, walking distances and crowds test endurance and patience, especially in the young and the elderly. Yet many said that they were happy that they were able to complete the pilgrimage. 

“It was exhausting but I never once felt alone,” Nida Ahmed, 28, said. “There were several others standing with me expressing their faith.” 

The challenges of performing Hajj

While the experience is spiritually fulfilling, it comes with challenges, even outside of the logistics of preparing to travel. Language barriers can be difficult as many instructions are given in Arabic or English. Sri Lankan pilgrims often depend on group leaders for translation and coordination.

Crowd management is another major challenge. Millions of people move through the same areas at the same time, which can cause delays and confusion. Health issues such as dehydration and fatigue are also common.

“I didn’t expect it to be so crowded,” Sajjaad said. “I was worried because I was traveling with my young child who finds it difficult to sit still for a long time.” 

Despite these challenges, pilgrims often say the shared experience creates strong bonds between strangers from Sri Lanka and other countries.

“I’m so happy I went,” Sajjaad said. “I hope it taught my son the value of spirituality and religion.” 

Completing Hajj

On completing Hajj, Muslims who have completed the pilgrimage are given the honorific title “Hajji”. It used a symbol of respect and to recognise that someone has successfully completed the pilgrimage with all of its physical, spiritual and logistical demands. 

After completing Hajj, many pilgrims came back feeling peaceful and refreshed.  “When I came back, I felt different,” Aamir Ashraf, 25, said. “I felt more in touch with my culture and religion.” 

For many like Ashraff, Hajj  is more than a religious duty. It is a long journey of preparation and reflection. From saving money  to standing in prayer at Arafat, every step carries a sacrifice. Despite the physical and logistical challenges, pilgrims return with a strong sense of completion and inner change.