Popular pilgrimages - Islam
Whether it's tacky souvenir stalls, airlines putting on special planes to fly people to Mecca or hotels set up to cater for those making long-standing sacred treks, religious tourism is big business these days. Pilgrimage plays a big part in all the major religions and ideologies - which makes for incredible sights and gatherings across the world.
Muslim pilgrimages
One of the five pillars of Islam is Hajj - the obligation of every able-bodied Muslim to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia at least once in their life. There is a series of rituals involved, the best known of which is walking round the kaaba (a large cubic structure) in the al-Masjid al-Haram mosque seven times.
Other Islamic pilgrimage sites include the prophet Muhammed's tomb in Medina, Saudi Arabia and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel. The latter is where Muhammed is believed to have ascended to heaven.
Search: Famous pilgrimages | World religions
Be there: Flights to Saudi Arabia | Local hotels | Saudi travel guide
Related articles: Last resting places | World heritage sites
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