Haj, in literal Arabic, means to set out for a definite objective. In Islamic terminology it means to set out for the Ka'ba, the sacred house -- the first place of worship. The Ka'ba (which literally means cubic building) is a four-walled cubic structure, 10 by 12 by 15 metres in size.

The Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam, performed within the five days of the 22nd week of `Dhul Hajja', the 12th month of the Islamic calender. According to Hadith, the history of the Haj dates back to the beginning of time. The Haj formally starts at Miqat, the place where the pilgrim makes the `intention' and dons thewhite garb (an unstitched, one-piece cloth in case of males) known as `Ehram', which marks the spiritual journey towards the Ka'ba, Allah's house.

From the pre-historic time the Ka'ba has always been revered, respected and preserved in its purity and splendour. Five times a day, Muslims of the whole world, wherever they may be, face towards the Ka'ba and pray and thus manifest a practical demonstration of unity of Islam, that is the convergence towards one centre. According to Islamic history, the Ka'ba of Mecca, the antiquity of which history fails to establish with certainty, is an embodiment of goodness and blessing. It is the fountainhead of guidance. It is believed that Adam built it with the help of the Angel Gabriel, who brought stone from paradise and embedded it in the corner of the holy shrine.

Pilgrimage is not an uncommon human experience. This tradition is alive in many human societies. But the Haj is not a pilgrimage to a place or to a person. It is a unique experience, an experience ofdrawing closer to Allah or one could say it is a journey to Allah. By undertaking the journey, the pilgrim proclaims that he is ready to go any length in the service of his lord. Every year more than three million people brave the barren desert and chant ``Labbaik Allahomma Labbaik, La Sharika Laka Labbaik (O Lord I am here, because you called me).'' People forget all their differences of race, colour, language culture and gender. The Haj is a symbol of equality and universality in Islam -- the opportunity to observe the unique impact of shared belief.

One particular reason for the Haj is that it commemorates the divine scheme, first made manifest is so momentous a fashion in Ibrahim's day and finally reaching fulfillment during the time of Prophet Muhammad. When Ibrahim came to this world, people were locked in the grip of polytheism. The fulfillment of God's scheme, which started with Ibrahim's travelling from Iraq to Mecca, was aimed at eradicating polytheism. But soon after the death of Ibrahim,people took the same path to become idol worshippers. After about 2,000 years Prophet Muhammad came and re-established the Ka'ba as a place of prayer for one God.

The Haj is the greatest annual congregation on earth. It presents a supreme symbol of universal brotherhood. This obligatory act is the final pillar of Islam required once in a lifetime, considered one of the noblest act a Muslim can perform. Moreover, it gives a person a chance to earnestly seek repentance for past sins and forgiveness from people he or she may have wronged. It is the outstanding test of absolute submission and obedience to Allah's will, where human desires have no room and man's ego is crushed.