Hajj, the largest annual gathering of Muslims, takes place in Mecca from the eighth to the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. This year, Hajj is set to begin on June 14, with Eid al-Adha being celebrated on June 16. It is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it, with the intention of cleansing themselves of sin and getting closer to God. The dates for Hajj vary each year, with the infographic provided showing when it is expected to take place over the next 31 years.
Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and coincides with the third day of Hajj. It is celebrated for three days, with this year’s date being June 16. On the first day of Eid al-Adha, Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal and distribute a portion of its meat to those in need, symbolizing the Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God. It is the second major Muslim festival after Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
During Hajj, Muslim pilgrims from all over the world arrive in Mecca in a state of ihram, symbolizing humility and spiritual focus. Men wear seamless white attire, while women wear plain clothing and observe hijab rules. The pilgrimage re-enacts the Prophet Muhammad’s farewell pilgrimage in 632 AD, following the footsteps of the prophets Abraham and Ismail through the desert. The process of Hajj involves rituals such as Tawaaf, Sa’i, Mina, Arafat, and Stoning the Devil, each holding its own significance in the journey.
In 2023, about 1.85 million Muslims performed Hajj, with the majority coming from abroad. Asian countries contributed the highest number of pilgrims, followed by Arab and African countries. Male pilgrims outnumbered females, with foreigners making up a significant portion of the total number of pilgrims. For those unable to make the pilgrimage, a 360-degree VR experience produced by Al Jazeera offers a glimpse of the major landmarks in Mecca that pilgrims visit during Hajj. This digital experience allows viewers to see Mecca from different angles, providing an immersive view of the holy site.
