About 200 Muslims from Ames gathered Thursday morning in an annual celebration to honor the end of their pilgrimages to Mecca.

The ceremony consisted of Muslim men, women and children. Shoes were removed at the door, and men and women entered the building through separate entrances. In different rooms, the men and women prayed, then listened to a speech that gave information and advice for the Muslim community.

Ibrahim Nassar, president of the ISU Muslim Student Association, said the ceremony commemorates the more than two million Muslims who make the pilgrimage to Mecca each year. Every Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage at least once, if he or she is physically and financially able to do so.

The pilgrimage is held during the first 10 days of the Dhull-Hijah, the last month of the lunar year. Nassar said the Muslims are required to enter into a pure state, in which they wear seamless white garments, refrain from cutting either their hair or nails, and abstain from any form of vulgarity.

“The pilgrimage unites men and women, rich and poor, black and white,” Nassar said. “Everyone is equal.”

Beth Sermet, a member of the local Muslim community, said the pilgrimage consists of the sacrifice of an animal, in memory of the prophet Ibrahim. Ibrahim was asked by Allah to sacrifice his only son.

“Both father and son were of such faith that they proceeded without questions,” she said. “Ibrahim was willing to make the ultimate human sacrifice for Allah.”

Sermet said whoever performs the sacrifice is allowed to keep one-third of the animal, but the rest is given to the poor.

“A person can also donate money to the poor,” she said. “Most often, donations are given to people in distant countries who face hardship, such as in Iran, Iraq or Bosnia.”

Sermet said the meaning of the pilgrimage is important for Muslim people. “We leave our daily life behind to become one with Allah,” she said. “It is a manifestation of the oneness of Islam. Everyone is on equal ground, and Muslims from all over the world are united in complete harmony. “