Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the five requirements or pillars of Islam. The journey is taken by thousands of Americans each year. It occurs in the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
Abdul Alim Mubarak, an editor for CNN who lives in New Jersey, says good-bye to his family to travel to Mecca to experience the hajj pilgrimage. He discusses his expectations and reasons for making the trip:
