Umrah is a journey to the most sacred place for Muslims; the holy Kaaba in Makkah. Umrah is known as the minor pilgrimage, while Hajj is the main pilgrimage and one of the pillars of Islam.

Unlike Hajj, Umrah is a voluntary spiritual journey that Muslims of every gender, ethnic group, colour, social status and culture take up as a sign of their devotion to Allah. It is said that performing Umrah cleanses the soul and allows Muslims to ask for forgiveness and pray to God.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) once said “The pilgrims of Hajj and Umrah are the guests of Allah. They visited His home on His call, therefore Allah will grant them what they ask for.”

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. The Umrah rites include Ihram, Tawaf Al Kaaba, Sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and the journey ends in shaved heads for men in likeness to the Prophet Mohammed as a mark of rebirth and purity. Women would typically just clip a single lock of hair.