Arrival (day 1)
Before arriving in the holy city, Muslims enter a state of special effort known as ihram. They remove their normal clothes and put on the humble attire of pilgrims, two seamless white sheets for men, and simple white dresses and scarves for women.

The white garments are symbolic of human equality and unity before God, since all the pilgrims are dressed similarly. Money and status are no longer important - they are all equal in the eyes of Allah.

The Great Mosque

Ihram
The first thing a Muslim will do is rush to the Ka'ba and circle it seven times. This is called the tawaf.

If the can they will touch the Black Stone, otherwise they will wave towards it.

The Black Stone

 The next event is the say (or saai). The pilgrims run between the hills of Marwa and Safa. They do this remembering the time when Hagar searched for water for her child Isma'il.

The pilgrims then drink from the well of Zamzam. the water is said to give special blessings.

At the end of the day the pilgrims set off for Mina and camp there for the rest of that day and night.

Saai

Saii

Zamzam