The HAJJ

Aerial view of the al-Haram Mosque with the Kaaba at the start of Hajj
Al-Jazeera, Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey. 

The pilgrimage occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and involves a series of rituals, including the Tawaf, where pilgrims circle the Kaaba, and the Sa'i, which involves walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah. In 2025 the Hajj takes place from June 4 to 9.

The Hajj is a profound spiritual experience aimed at fostering a sense of unity among Muslims, as millions gather from around the world to participate in this sacred act of worship.