More than one million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia coming from abroad for this year’s Haj season, Saudi officials announced yesterday as the kingdom prepares for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Speaking at a news conference regarding the preparations for the Haj season, Media Minister Salman bin Yousef Al Dosari said that 1,070,000 pilgrims have arrived in the kingdom as of Sunday.
Millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca annually to perform the Islamic ritual of Haj, which is one of the most significant spiritual journeys in the religion.
The pilgrimage spans several days and includes a sequence of highly structured rites.
The Haj pilgrimage begins on the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah and lasts until the 13th of the month. This year, Hajj is expected to take place between June 4 to June 9.
Saudi Arabia has called on Muslims in the kingdom to sight the crescent moon that would signal the start of the Muslim lunar month Dhul Hijjah today.
Spotting the moon would also help finalise the date of Eid Al Adha as it falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah.
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