Things you should know about Hari Raya Haji

Hajj involves several actions and rituals to be performed in Mecca , and three other locations surrounding it, namely Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

These actions include staying in Mina for the entire day and night on the eight day of Zulhijjah (the last month in the Islamic calendar). The pilgrims then proceed to Arafat the next day. The following day, they travel from Arafat to Muzdalifah and spend the night there, leaving the next morning back to Mina.

On the tenth day of Zulhijjah, animals such as goats are sacrificed. The pilgrims also throw pebbles at three stations for the next three days. This is called the Ramy al-Jamarat which signifies their defiance against the devil. Lastly, before leaving Mecca, the pilgrims go around the Kaabah (a cuboid building in the centre of the mosque) seven times.

Muslims in Singapore celebrate this day by visiting the mosque in the morning for prayers, and to listen to sermons.

There will be meat from the sacrificed sheep and lambs at the mosques, which will then be distributed among the Muslim community, with focus on the less fortunate.

Image credit: Ooi Boon Keong

The culture here is that after the prayers, families will gather at the homes of relatives, especially of the elderly and those who have performed their Haj.

This celebration is not the same as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which is a celebration to mark the end of fasting for 30 days.

Image credit: Wak Tanjong Mosque