Prayers take place at Kaaba in Mecca at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage (Picture: Getty)
Hajj is an extremely important event in the Islamic calendar, which happens each year on a different date.
At this time, many Muslims from around the globe make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
The tradition sees millions travel each year as part of the sacred pilgrimage that it is required Muslims do at least once in their lifetime.
But what exactly is Hajj, where does this tradition come from, and when is it happening this year? Here is everything you need to know about the religious event.
What is Hajj?
Hajj is the Muslim pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, which is located in the Middle Eastern country Saudi Arabia.
It is one of the most important traditions in Islam.
Hajj unites muslims from all over the world as they take on the pilgrimage together (Picture: Getty)
Pilgrims head to Kaaba, a sacred mosque in Mecca, and there they will pray alongside other Muslims from all around the world.
All Muslims, should they be physically fit and financially stable enough to do so, are required to do the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in their lives.
The tradition dates back to Prophet Ibrahim, but is also linked to Prophet Muhammad who Muslims believe established the rites carried out at the end of Hajj.
When does Hajj 2023 start?
In 2022, Hajj began on Monday (June 26) and ends on the evening of Saturday, July 1.
Millions of people will make the pilgrimage this year (Picture: Getty)
The pilgrimage takes around five to six days in total, and it must be completed during this time.
As mentioned, the date changes every year as it is performed on the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
In 2023, Hajj will begin on the evening of Monday, June 26 and end on Saturday, July 1.
Why do Muslims make the pilgrimage to Mecca?
Hajj is a time of self-renewal for Muslims – as they believe the pilgrimage symbolises equality as people from all over the world come together to complete the tradition.
Muslims taking part in the pilgrimage to Mecca – on Mount Arafat on the second day of Hajj (Picture: Getty)
Together they perform a number of rituals with no factors such as race and social status playing a part.
Before entering Mecca, all men should wear a white garment called an Ihram to show equality.
Once they get there, pilgrims go to the Masjid al-Haram and walk around the Kaaba four times quickly and four times slowly, before walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah (much like Abraham’s wife Hagar was said to do).
A set route then continues over six days, as explained below:
The route for the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia
First day of Hajj
Pilgrims enter into a state of holiness by wearing the Ihram while inside Mecca and proceed to Mina, a town around 10km outside the city. It tends to be large groups that make this journey, and they camp when there.
Mina, the city of tents, has over than 100,000 air-conditioned tents that provide temporary accommodation to Hajj pilgrims.
Once in Mina, the day is spent praying.
Second day of Hajj
From Mina, pilgrims move towards the deserts of Arafat, which is around 15km away.
As part of the journey, they’re required to spend an afternoon on the Plains, and pray until sunset, before going 10km on to Mizdilafah once the moon is out.
On this leg of the journey, people will pick up pebbles for the next day’s rituals, before camping out for the night.
Third day of Hajj – Eid al-Adha begins
Pilgrims head towards Mina again and this time along to Jamarat Bridge, where a symbolic stoning of the devil takes place.
During this, people will throw seven pebbles at a wall that represents the devil, before sacrificing an animal.
The sacrifice won’t always be done in person, and people can instead buy a sacrifice voucher in Mecca for it to be done by proxy.
After this, the circling of the Kaaba and running between hills will be done in Mecca.
From here on, normal clothing can be worn, and most choose to spend the night in Mina.
Fourth day of Hajj
The following day, pilgrims again go to Jamarat Bridge and perform the stoning of the devil.
Pilgrims once again stay in Mina overnight.
Fifth day of Hajj
Another devil stoning ceremony happens on this day, and by sunset, pilgrims move back to Mecca.
Sixth day of Hajj
On the final day, pilgrims perform Tawaf Widaa, a final circumambulation of the Kaaba and start to leave Mecca for their homes.
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It’s one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar.
