Every Muslim is supposed to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the two holy cities in Saudi Arabia, at least once in his or her lifetime.

Called the hajj — one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith — it’s an obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey.

But Hamad Alghonaim, a 36-year-old graduate student at Kansas University, has already made the arduous trip seven times since he was 17.

“As a Muslim, I strongly believe as the Prophet (Mohammed) told us, that whomever performs hajj accurately and sincerely will come back from this trip as a newborn baby — pure, with no sin,” says Alghonaim, a Saudi who is earning a doctorate in educational communication technology.

This is the time of year — the exact date depends upon the Islamic lunar calendar — that two to three million Muslims from around the world are gathering in Mecca for the pilgrimage that takes place there annually. The event occupies an important place in the hearts and minds of even those Muslims who are not physically taking part in the 10-day Hajj.

“All of the Muslims I know in Lawrence will celebrate. During these days, we pray to God a lot to protect the people who go to Mecca. I pray to God every morning that he will protect them and keep them from harm,” says Alghonaim, who moved to Lawrence with his family in August 1998.

When the main portion of the pilgrimage is completed, Muslims worldwide — and here — will gather for communal prayers on the first day of a holiday called Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), also known as the “festival of sacrifice.”

This year, that event will take place Sunday.

Muslims from the community will gather Sunday morning at the Islamic Center of Lawrence, 1917 Naismith Drive, to recite special Eid prayers and ask God forgiveness for any sins they may have committed.

Hamad Alghonaim, a graduate student at Kansas University, has been to Mecca in Saudi Arabia seven times to perform the hajj. Two to three million Muslims gather this time of year in Mecca for the pilgrimage.

At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 200 to 250 people will meet at the center for a celebratory Eid-ul-Adha meal. The event is open to the public.

“Most likely, we will have rice, vegetables, hummus, chicken, lamb and some desserts that are brought by the families (who belong to the center). I will be taking care of cooking the meal — usually, I would cook two lambs and about 30 chickens,” Alghonaim says.

Eid ul-Adha commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The holiday is celebrated with the prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of meat to the needy and social gatherings.

During this holiday, Muslims exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” or “blessed Eid.”

The Hajj and Eid-Ul-Ahda are important to all Muslims, whether or not they making the journey to Mecca.

“We believe that these 10 days are very special, and whoever does good deeds will be rewarded from Allah. We make sure that we do our best, give to charity, try to fast some of the days and read the Holy Koran more frequently,” Alghonaim says.