Saudi Arabia has announced that the Hajj pilgrimage will begin on June 14, following the sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday evening by astronomical observatories.
This sighting marks the start of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, as confirmed by the Supreme Court. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported this determination.
The Hajj, a central pillar of Islam, is a religious obligation that must be performed at least once in the lifetime of every Muslim who has the means to undertake the journey.
The pilgrimage encompasses a series of rituals over a minimum of four days in Mecca and its surrounding areas in western Saudi Arabia. The culmination of these rituals occurs on the second day when pilgrims congregate for prayers on Mount Arafat, the site where the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.
This year, this significant event will take place on June 15, followed by the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on June 16, according to SPA.
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Saudi Arabia is the custodian of the most sacred sites in Islam, located in Mecca and Medina. The kingdom derives significant economic benefits from the Hajj, as well as from Umrah, a pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year.
These religious events generate billions of dollars annually and also enhance the prestige of the Saudi monarchy, whose official title includes “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.”
Last year, more than 1.8 million Muslims participated in the Hajj, as per official statistics. At a press conference on Thursday, Tawfiq al-Rabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, announced that “approximately 1.2 million pilgrims from various countries of the world” had already arrived in Saudi Arabia in preparation for this year’s pilgrimage.
This influx underscores the global significance of the Hajj and Saudi Arabia’s role in facilitating this major religious event.