Hajji
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Hajji (Template:Langx; sometimes spelled Hajjeh, Hadji, Haji, Alhaji, Al-Hadj, Al-Haj or El-Hajj) is an honorific title which is given to a Muslim who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca.
Etymology
Hajji is derived from the Arabic Template:Transliteration (Template:Lang), which is the active participle of the verb Template:Transliteration ('to make the pilgrimage'; Template:Lang). The alternative form Template:Transliteration is derived from the name of the Hajj with the adjectival suffix -ī (Template:Lang), and this was the form adopted by non-Arabic languages.Template:Citation needed
Use
Hajji and its variant spellings are used as honorific titles for Muslims who have successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In Arab countries, Template:Transliteration and Template:Transliteration (pronunciation varies by Arabic dialect) is a commonly used manner of addressing any older person respectfully if they have performed the pilgrimage. It is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take years to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel (particularly before commercial air travel), and in many Muslim societies to a respected man as an honorific title. The title is prefixed to a person's name; for example, Saif Gani becomes "Hajji Saif Gani".Template:Citation needed
In sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria, the titles Alhaji (male) and Alhaja (female) are given to those who have performed the pilgrimage. Civil rights activist Aisha Yesufu, for instance, has often been referred to as "Alhaja Aisha Yesufu".<ref>Onokpasa, J. FeaturedUNMASKING PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIP TO FRANCE. First Weekly Magazine. [online] Available at: https://www.firstweeklymagazine.com/unmasking-president-tinubus-trip-to-france/ (Accessed: October 5th 2025).</ref>
In Malay-speaking countries, Template:Lang and Template:Lang are titles given to Muslim males and females respectively who have performed the pilgrimage. These are abbreviated as Hj. and Hjh. (in Indonesian, it is H. and Hj.)Template:Citation needed
In Iran, the honorific title Hāj (Template:Lang) is sometimes used for IRGC commanders, instead of the title Sardar ('General'), such as for Qasem Soleimani.Template:Citation needed
Other religions
The term was borrowed in Balkan Christian countries formerly under Ottoman rule (Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania), and are used for Christians who have travelled to Jerusalem and the Holy Lands.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In some areas the title has been fossilised as a family name, for example in the surnames common among Bosniaks such as Hadžić, Hadžiosmanović ('son of Hajji Osman') etc.Template:Citation needed
In Cyprus, the title is so prevalent that it has also been permanently integrated into some Greek Christian surnames, such as Template:Translit. This is due to Cyprus's long history of Christian and Muslim influence.Template:Citation needed
The title has also been used in some Jewish communities to honor those who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem or other holy sites in Israel.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Failed verification
Ethnic slur
In the 21st century, American soldiers began using the term Haji as slang for Iraqis, Afghans, or Arab people in general. It is used in the way "gook" or "Charlie" was used by U.S military personnel during the Vietnam War.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Learning to 'embrace the suck' in Iraq Los Angeles Times, 28 January 2007</ref><ref>Slang from Operation Iraqi Freedom globalsecurity.org</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
See also
- Hatzi, a Greek surname prefix, stemming from the same origin
- Islam
- Pilgrimage