The Hajj pilgrimage is considered the highest of all Muslim practices. This year, 23-year-old Jenan Diab, an NIU alumna and former Northern Star assistant news editor, made the journey to Saudi Arabia.

Every year, about two million pilgrims make the journey to Mecca and perform Hajj at the Kaaba. The Hajj, or the Pilgrimage, is an essential duty of all Muslims.

Hajj consists of five days, starting Jan. 31. Throughout the gathering, Muslims of all cultures and races encourage things like international brotherhood and equality among the sight of God. They worship at Islam’s holiest sites.

Diab said she had been considering Hajj for a long time. She said she always knew she would go but never at such a young age – people usually go on Hajj when they are older.

Some people may not realize that all the walking, waiting in airports, riding buses and maneuvering through crowds can take a toll, Diab said.

“Not many people realize how hard of a trip the Hajj is,” Diab said. “From the beginning to end, our patience was tested because it was one obstacle after another to get to where we were going. I can’t tell you how many times our flight was delayed or we got lost or our bus was a few hours late. I truly believe the trip is designed purposely with all those obstacles as a test of everyone’s patience. Muslims are always reminded in the Quran of the importance of having patience. In Hajj, you realize why.”

Despite the difficulty of the trip, Diab said she would do it again in a heartbeat.

She said it is worth it once Muslims see the Kaaba and complete their Hajj. Muslims learn so much about themselves and come back feeling like life has been changed for the better, she said.

Maharom Mahmood, education attache for the Embassy of Malaysia, said only certain people are required to go to Hajj.

“Those who are in good health, those who have sufficient funds or are wealthy and those who have the means or capable to travel to Saudi Arabia,” Mahmood said.

Mahmood said he performed Hajj in 1995.

“I was there for 45 days; I was in Mecca, Mina and Medina,” Mahmood said. “I did my Hajj along with my sister and cousin. We went in a big group under the Malaysian Hajj Foundation. The MHF is a foundation that is responsible for taking care of Malaysians during the duration of the Hajj.”

When Hajj is performed at Mecca, the Muslims in the rest of the world also celebrate the festival of Eid ul Adha on Feb. 1.

“Hajj is an act of obedience to Allah,” Mahmood said. “The journey of Hajj is an act of purification in which a person ‘washes away’ all their sins. So Hajj is like a new beginning in life – like a clean slate. Hajj reminds people that they have to face God one day and that life on Earth isn’t for eternity. It also helps remind us that all people are created equal.”

Muslims believe if you’ve done your Hajj right, it is accepted by God and your sins are wiped away, which is why a lot Muslims come out of Hajj with a feeling of a new beginning or fresh start in life, he said.

“Hajj is a time of self-reflection and repentance to God,” Diab said. “You definitely come back more at peace with yourself and feeling like you have a fresh start in life.”