In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
     All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
     Islam has two major religious celebrations. The first occurs after the completion of Ramadan, the Islamic month during which Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset as part of an effort towards self-purification and betterment. This celebration is known as `Eid Al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast).
     The second major Islamic celebration takes place during the time of the Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). This week-long event occurs two months and ten days after Ramadan, during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, and its culmination is a feast known as `Eid Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). The Hajj consists of several ceremonies meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his family. Over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage annually, and the rest of the over one billion Muslims worldwide celebrate the `Eid in conjunction with the Hajj.

Hajj Rituals:

     On 8th of Dhul Hijjah, perform ghusl (washing the wohle body), and then put on the two-piece garment of Ihram (izar and rida). This applies to men only.  A woman also makes ghusl and does not wear make up.  She may wear any clothes she has available as long as they don't display adornments.  She should be completely covered except for her face and hands.  You make you intention to perform Hajj by saying; Labbayk Hajjan, or: Labbyak Allahumma Hajjan, as following: Labbaik Allahumma, Labbaik     Labbaik. La shareeka laka Labbaik, Innal-hamda wan-n'imata lak walmulk. (here I am at your service. lord, here I am, Truly, the praise and the favor is Yours, and the dominion. No partner do You have).
You then go to Mina, where you pray the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers at their proper times, shortening prayers of four rak'as to two rak'as. You do not combine these prayers.
When the sun has risen on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah proceed toward Arafat in a dignified manner and without harming your fellow pilgrims.  At Arafat pray the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, shortened and combined during the time of Dhuhr with one Adhan and two iqamahs.
When the sun has set, proceed toward Muzdalifah in a peaceful and dignified manner, reciting talbiyyar. When you arrive at Muzadalifah pray the Maghrib and Isha prayers combined, shortening Isha to two rak'ats.  Stay at Muzdalifah until you have prayed the Fajr Prayer.                           CONTINUE