Hajji (Pashto: حاجی, Persian: حاجی‎, Arabic: الحجّي‎ al-ḥajjī or الحاج al-ḥājj, Greek: Χατζής, Bulgarian: Хаджия, Bosnian: Hadžija, Belarusian: haberythr, Kurdish: Hecî, Serbian: Хаџи,Hadži Turkish: Hacı, Hausa: Alhaji, pilgrim; sometimes spelled Hadji or Haji) or El-Hajj, is an honorific title given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca,^[1] and is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take time to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel. The title is placed before a person's name (for instance, Ahmad Gani becomes Hajji Ahmad Gani). It is derived from the Arabic al-Ḥājj, which is the active participle of the verb ḥajja 'to make the pilgrimage to Mecca'. The alternative form ḥajjī is derived from the name of the Hajj with the adjectival suffix -ī, and this was the form adopted by non-Arabic languages. In some areas, the title has been handed down the generations, and has become a family name. Such usage can be seen, for example, in the Bosniak surname Hadžiosmanović, which means 'son of Hajji Osman'.

Women who complete the Hajj are referred to as Hajjah or الحاجة al-Ḥājjah.^[2], or (in Hausa/Fulani) Hajiya.

In Arab countries, Ḥājj and Ḥājjah (pronunciation varying based on the form of Arabic spoken) is a common respectful manner of addressing any older person, regardless of whether or not the person in question has actually performed the pilgrimage.

The term is also used in the Balkan Christian countries that were once under Ottoman domination (Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, Macedonia and Romania) for a Christian who had traveled to Jerusalem and the Holy Lands.^[3]

In Cyprus, where for centuries Christians and Muslims intermixed freely and Jerusalem is conveniently local, the title became so prevalent as to be permanently integrated into some Greek Christian family names, such as Hajiioannou, regardless of any lack of qualification.

Racial slur[link]

Hajji, Haji or Hodgie is more recently used as a derogatory term by American military personnel as a comprehensive term for Iraqis, Arabs, Afghans, or Middle Eastern and South Asian people in general. It is comparable to the term "gook," used by U.S military personnel during the Vietnam War.^[4][5][6][7] It can also be used as an adjective to refer to the stores inside a FOB or items such as a bootleg CD or DVD purchased inside or outside the wire in theatre. Central Command directives discourage such use and prefer the use of the acronym LN (local nationals) as a non-derogatory term for locals in theater.

See also[link]

• Chatzi
• Hajj
• Islam
• Pilgrimage

References[link]

Angelito Toledo "Hajji" Alejandro (born December 26, 1954) is a Filipino singer and actor, who was a major pop star in the 1970s and 1980s.^[1] Just like another OPM legend, Basil Valdez, he came from the group "Circus Band." He was the first winner of the MetroPop Song Festival in 1977.

He operated a small restaurant along Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles with wife, beauty queen actress Rio Diaz, during the 80s. They have a son, Delara drummer Ali Alejandro. His former wife Rio Diaz died of colon cancer in 2004.

He is also the father of singer Rachel Alejandro.

The original Kilabot ng Kolehiyala (College Girls' Heartthrob), Alejandro is best remembered for such songs as Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Panakip Butas and Nakapagtataka.^[2]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 18 Greatest Hits
• Collection
• Pagbabalik
• Pagtatalik
• 25: The Silver Anniversary Album Of Hadji Alejandro

See also[link]

• Rico J. Puno
• Rey Valera
• Freddie Aguilar

References[link]

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