GROUPS of Muslims from High Wycombe, as from the rest of the country, are leaving for the Hajj Pilgrimage in Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia, which takes place in early March.

Hajj is the fifth tenet of Islam and commemorates the story shared with Christianity and Judaism, of Hazrat Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismaeil in the name of God.

The Wycombe Muslims will join over two million other Muslims from all over the world and perform Hajjj on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Zil-Hajj, with Eid Ul Adha the following day.

Able-bodied Muslims, who can support themselves during Hajj and also have sufficient resources for the family left behind, are obliged to undertake Hajj at least once in a lifetime.

The annual Hajj attracts a uniquely multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-lingual gathering of the faithful who have an opportunity to visit and pray in the holiest Islamic cities of Makkah and Medina.

The Hajj has its own obligations, rituals and timetable which have to observed in detail.

The Hajjies will start to return in mid-March and we wish them a safe and joyous experience of a lifetime.

AN illustrated lecture on Islamic Britain is being organised by the Muslim Institute, on Sunday, February 25, at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London, from 2pm to 5pm. The speakers include Dr Yaqub Zaki, visiting Professor at Harvard University, Abdullah Trevathan, headmaster of the Islamia School and Shahid Reza, vice-principal of the Muslim College.

For further information please contact the Muslim Institute on (020) 8563 1995