More than 1.5 million foreign Muslims arrive in Mecca for annual Hajj pilgrimage

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Kaaba, the "House of God", in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia as it is considered one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation for all able-bodied and financially capable Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj pilgrimage takes place during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, specifically from the 8th to the 12th of that month.

During Hajj, millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca to fulfill religious rituals that commemorate the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). The pilgrimage holds deep spiritual significance and serves as a time of reflection, repentance and unity among Muslims.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia determined that Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, would begin on Friday, June 07, 2024. Saudi Arabia said the Hajj will start on June 14, 2024 after astronomical observatories spotted the crescent moon on Thursday evening, June 06, signalling the beginning of the month in which the annual pilgrimage falls.