n Saudi Arabia to visit the holy shrine of the Kaaba in the Great Mosque. Tradition has it that the shrine was built by Abraham. The pilgrimage is intended to reenact the hegira, the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622. Most travelers will visit both cities, in addition to performing a number of other ritual observances. The pilgrimage culminates with the feast of sacrifice, one of the two major festivals that are celebrated during the Islamic year. Christianity does not require such a pilgrimage, but most Christians indirectly have the need to visit Jerusalem, the birth place of Jesus. most Christians consider it an honor to visit it.Fasting. In the second chapter of the Koran is the statement "Fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you." Because the Koran was first revealed to Muhammad in the month of Ramadan, the whole month was set aside as a period of fasting. During each day, from first light to darkness, all eating, drinking, and smoking are forbidden. Those who are ill or on a journey may postpone the fast until a "similar number of days later on," according to the Koran. The second major festival of the Islamic year begins at the termination of the fast and lasts several days. In Christianity, this could be compared to the Lenten period, where Jesus was sent to the desert for 40 days and nights, where he was tempted by Satan. Christians usually give up something of importance during that period. Although some do go on fasts, it is generally not as long. The end of the 40 day fast is known as Ash Wednesday, which begins the most holiest point in the Christian calendar (Good Friday, and Easter).Another similar attribute both religions share is the given of money. In Islam, the zakat is an obligatory tax, a contribution made by Muslims to the state or to the community. In the modern period, the zakat has become a voluntary charitable contribution. In Christianity this is known as tithe. Believers ...
