Contributed to Crescentrating by Professor David Kerr MD (Founder VoyageMD.com)

Depending on when the Hajj falls on the lunar calendar, some of the Hajj rituals need to be undertaken in extreme heat with temperatures often more than 45o C. The risks are heat stroke and dehydration, which can be aggravated by excessive exertion and basic sanitation. Other health risks relate to outbreaks of communicable disease from airborne agents or inadequately prepared food. As well as the general risks of any traveller attending a mass gathering such as the Hajj, there are additional health risks for travellers with diabetes.

Hajj- Journey to the heart of Islam at the British Museum

An obligatory pilgrimage to Makkah, Hajj is to be performed at least once in a lifetime for those who can afford it. It is one of the pillars of Islam and involves performing certain religious rituals that were performed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

5 Tips to help you during your journey: Umrah or Hajj

For those who are planning on completing Hajj or Umrah, below are a couple of tips that may help you during your journey.

Here are few tips and ideas to consider when you are making your travel plans as a Muslim traveller

1. Hajj

There is no better travel than going on Hajj, if you have not done so yet. If you have all the means necessary to perform Hajj, making a firm intention to perform it soon would be a great idea. You can enjoy immensely when you undertake Hajj while you are young and physically fit. Better not to postpone it, if you have the means now.

The Haj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is currently the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.

Being the third largest Muslim populated country, India's share is large in number of Hajj pilgrims. Hajj travel is organized by the central Hajj committee of India under the aegis of the central government and by private tour operators according to government allocations.

Travelling has been part and parcel of a Muslims' life since the beginning of Islam. For the last 14 centuries, Muslims have been travelling from all parts of the world to perform Hajj. Without a doubt, Hajj has been one of the driving factors in making them leave their homes and possessions and embark on these most awe inspiring journeys. The requirement to travel for Hajj and other reasons such as finding the Qiblah direction, made the early Muslims the leaders in innovation in travel and navigation. It also led to a vast collection of travel writing!