Festivals and Events in Mecca

Mecca, the most holy city of the Muslims, has a number of festivals and events that are celebrated all round the year. Mecca is mainly known for 'Hajj' that every Muslim is expected to undertake at least once in his or her lifetime. It is mainly a pilgrimage held in the month of March that brings innumerable Muslim tourists from all across the globe. Though it is a matter of fact that the nom-Islamic people cannot strictly participate in the numerous festivals and events in Mecca it can categorically be stated that the festivals and events in Mecca are primarily religious ones. However these festivals and events in Mecca are celebrated with great pomp and mirth by the Muslim population.

Of the numerous festivals and events of Mecca, the most important of the Muslim festivals is Ramadan. Considered as a mandatory for the Islamic people, the Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar that is marked by prayer, fasting as well as charity. As the Muslims believe that it is blessed month when Allah revealed the first verses of the Quran it is an auspicious month for them. As fasting is one of the five duties that any Muslim should follow, most of the Muslims observe fast or 'sawm'. The festival ends with 'Eid-al-Fitr' when lights dazzle in the streets, people dress in their best and they visit their friends and relatives.

The 'Jinadriyah National Festival' is one of the most notable festivals in Mecca. It is an annual cultural festival that is organized by the National Guard under the supervision of the Crown Prince. This particular festival is identified as one of the primary occasions that truly uphold the true charm of the country. The two-week long festival that initiates with the traditional camel race exhibits a number of other performances that reflects the colorful and the bright aspects of the culture and the tradition of the land. In addition to these there are numerous other festivals and events in Mecca that are celebrated by the locals with great mirth.