Saudi Arabia has officially announced that the annual Hajj pilgrimage will begin on June 4, following the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, reported the Al Jazeera.
The announcement was made by the kingdom’s Supreme Court and was reported by the official Saudi Press Agency. According to Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah, more than one million pilgrims from around the world have already arrived in the country to perform this sacred Islamic obligation.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious duty that every able-bodied and financially capable Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage takes place annually between the 8th and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah, involving a series of profound spiritual rites.
Worshippers engage in four days of religious ceremonies, with the high point occurring on the second day at Mount Arafat, also known as the Mountain of Mercy. It is here that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his farewell sermon, a moment that remains deeply significant in Islamic history. On this day, pilgrims gather in mass outdoor prayers and supplication, while many Muslims around the world observe fasting as a mark of devotion.
This year, the Day of Arafat will fall on June 5, followed by Eid al-Adha on June 6, as per Saudi authorities.
Many pilgrims also travel to the city of Medina, home to the Prophet’s ﷺ tomb and Islam’s second holiest site. Though visiting Medina is not a required part of Hajj, it holds immense spiritual significance for millions of worshippers.
In 2024, the pilgrimage was marred by intense heat, with temperatures soaring to 51.8°C (125°F), leading to the deaths of more than 1,300 pilgrims. The tragedy has heightened concerns over the impact of climate change on future Hajj seasons.
Last year’s Hajj saw the participation of around 1.8 million people, and a similar turnout is expected this year. The pilgrimage continues to serve as a powerful symbol of faith, unity, and devotion, drawing Muslims from every corner of the world to the sacred lands of Mecca and Medina.
