Hajji (; sometimes spelled Hadji, Haji, Alhaji, Al-Hadj, Al-Haj or El-Hajj) is an honorific title which is given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca. Stemming from the same origin, the term Hadži is used in Orthodox Christianity in the Balkan countries for people who go on pilgrimage to the grave of Christ in Jerusalem. Etymology Hajji is derived from the Arabic , which is the active participle of the verb ("to make the pilgrimage"). The alternative form is derived from the name of the Hajj with the adjectival suffix -ī, and this was the form adopted by non-Arabic languages. Use Hajji and its variant spellings are used as honorific titles for Muslims who have successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca. In Arab countries, and (pronunciation varies according to the form of Arabic spoken) is a commonly used manner of addressing any older person respectfully, regardless of whether or not the person in question has actually 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 (and did particularly before the advent of mass air travel), and in many Muslim societies to a respected man as an honorific title. The title is placed before a person's name; for example, Saif Gani becomes "Hajji Saif Gani". In Malay-speaking countries, and are titles given to Muslim males and females respectively who have performed the pilgrimage. These are abbreviated as Hj. and Hjh. The term is also used in the Balkan Christian countries that were once under caliphate rule (Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania) for a Christian who had traveled to Jerusalem and the Holy Lands. In Cyprus the title is so prevalent that it has been permanently integrated into some Greek Christian family names, such as Hajiioannou. This happened because Cyprus is so close to the Holy Lands and Jerusalem, making Cyprus a place where Christians and Muslims have intermixed freely for many centuries. In Iran the honorific title Haj () is sometimes used for IRGC commanders, instead of the title Sardar ("General"), such as for Qasem Soleimani. Other religions The related term hadži is used in Orthodox Christianity in the Balkan countries for people who go on pilgrimage to the grave of Christ in Jerusalem. In some areas the title has become a family name, for example in