When Muslims around the world gather in Makkah for the Hajj, the wearing of Ihram (state of ritual purification for the Muslim pilgrim) is a means to join
all the Hajjis (pilgrims) together- everyone wears the same, simple dress, and in this way everyone is unified in purpose. So, too, the Hajj rituals bind the Hajjis (pilgrims) together, and not just within the confines of that particular Hajj, but with all pilgrimages performed throughout the ages; the Hajj then becomes a connection between the Hajji
(pilgrim) and all those who have stood before him in the same place, wearing a similar dress and performing the same rituals.One can look at the experiences of Hajjis (pilgrims) throughout the centuries, and because of this continuity feel a shared experience with people from
centuries past. Full article...