Jump to content

Hajj

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Checked
Page protected with pending changes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Pilgrimage to mecca)
"Haj" redirects here. For other uses, see Hajj (disambiguation) and Haj (disambiguation).

Hajj
حَجّ
Pilgrims at the Al-Masjid Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca on Hajj in 2010
StatusActive
GenreReligious pilgrimage
Begins8th day of Dhu al-Hijja
Ends12th or 13th day of Dhu al-Hijja
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Mecca
Coordinates21°25′22.3″N 39°49′32.6″E / 21.422861°N 39.825722°E / 21.422861; 39.825722
CountrySaudi Arabia
FounderIbrahim (historical)
Muhammad (current form)
ParticipantsMuslims
Attendance2,489,406 (2019)
(10,000 limit in 2020 due to COVID-19)
(60,000 limit in 2021 due to COVID-19)
1,000,000 (2022)
1,845,045 (2023)
Organised byMinistry of Hajj and Umrah (Saudi Arabia)
Air-conditioned tents for Hajj pilgrims in Mina, Saudi Arabia, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away from Mecca
Part of a series on
Islam
Beliefs
Practices
History
Culture and society
Related topics

Hajj (/hɑːdʒ/;[1] Arabic: حَجّ, romanized: Ḥajj; also spelled Hadj, Haj or Haji) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia,[2] the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for capable Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and of supporting their family during their absence from home.[3][4][5]

In Islamic terminology, Hajj is a pilgrimage made to the Kaaba, the "House of Allah", in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, alongside Shahadah (oath that one believes there is no god but Allah (God)),[6] salat (prayer), zakat (almsgiving), and sawm (fasting during Ramadan). The Hajj is an annual practice when Muslim brotherhood is on display and their solidarity with fellow Muslim people and submission to God (Allah) is fulfilled.[7][8] The word Hajj means "pilgrimage made to the Kaaba", a long pious journey taken by Muslims to cleanse their souls of all worldly sins, which connotes both the outward act of a journey after death and the inward act of good intentions.[9] The rites of pilgrimage are performed over five to six days, extending from the 8th to the 12th or 13th[10] of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.[11] Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and the Islamic year is about eleven-twelve days shorter than the Gregorian year, the Gregorian date of Hajj changes from year to year. In 2024 AD (1445 AH), Dhu al-Hijjah extends from 7 June to 6 July. In 2025 AD (1446 AH), Dhu al-Hijjah will extend from 28 May to 25 June; and in 2026 AD (1447 AH), Dhu al-Hijjah will extend from 18 May to 15 June.

The Hajj is associated with the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad from the 7th century AD, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca stated in Muslim sources stretches back to the time of Abraham. During Hajj, pilgrims join processions of millions of Muslim people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of pre-Islamic rituals (reformed by Muhammad): each person wears a single piece of unstitched white clothing (Ihram), walks counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba (a cube-shaped building and the direction of prayer for Muslims), kisses the black stone mounted on the corner wall of Kaaba, walks briskly back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, then drinks from the Zamzam Well, goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, spends a night in the plain of Muzdalifa, and performs symbolic Stoning of the Devil by throwing stones at three pillars. After the sacrifice of cattle (which can be accomplished by using a voucher), the pilgrims then are required to either shave or trim their heads (if male) or trim the ends of their hair (if female). A celebration of the four-day global festival of Eid al-Adha proceeds afterwards.[12][13][14] Muslims may also undertake an Umrah (Arabic: عُمرَة), or "lesser pilgrimage" to Mecca at other times of the year. However, the Umrah is not a substitute for the Hajj and Muslims are still obliged to perform the Hajj at some other point in their lifetime if they have the means to do so.[15]

According to the official published statistics between 2000 and 2019,[16][17][18] the average number of attendees is 2,269,145 per year, of which 1,564,710 come from outside Saudi Arabia and 671,983 are local. The year 2012 marks the highest number of participants with 3,161,573.[19] In June 2020, while not cancelling the Hajj outright, the Saudi Government announced that they would only welcome "very limited numbers" of pilgrims who are residents of Saudi Arabia due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.[20] Similar restrictions applied in 2021, but women were permitted to attend without a male guardian (mahram) provided they went in a trustworthy group.[21]

Etymology

[edit]

The word in Arabic: حج ḥajj is similar to the Hebrew: חג ḥag, which means "festival", from the triliteral Semitic root ح-ج-ج. The term was used to refer to the three pilgrimage festivals Israelites would make to the Temple in Jerusalem each year.[22] Similarly, the Arabic: حج ḥajj in Islam refers to act of traveling to Mecca to perform the various rituals associated with the pilgrimage.

History

[edit]
Main article: History of Hajj
A Hajj certificate dated 602 AH (1205 CE).
A 1907 photograph of people praying near the Kaaba in the Great Mosque of Mecca
The Kaaba during Hajj

The present pattern of Hajj was established by Muhammad.[23] However, according to the Quran, elements of Hajj trace back to the time of Abraham. According to Islamic tradition, Abraham was ordered by God to leave his wife Hajar and his son Ishmael alone in the desert of ancient Mecca. In search of water, Hajar desperately ran seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwah but found none. Returning in despair to Ishmael, she saw the baby scratching the ground with his leg and a water fountain sprang forth underneath his foot.[24] Later, Abraham was commanded to build the Kaaba (which he did with the help of Ishmael) and to invite people to perform pilgrimage there.[25] The Quran refers to these incidents in verses 2:124–127 and 22:27–30.[n 1] According to the tafsir of Zamakhshari (d. 1144 C.E.), the archangel Gabriel brought the Black Stone from Heaven to be attached to the Kaaba when it was built by the Prophet Abraham.[26]

In pre-Islamic Arabia, a time known as Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyya), the Kaaba became surrounded by pagan idols.[27] In AD 630, Muhammad led his followers from Medina to Mecca, cleansed the Kaaba by destroying all the pagan idols, and then consecrated the building to God.[28] In AD 632, Muhammad performed his only and last pilgrimage with a large number of followers, and instructed them on the rites of Hajj.[29] It was from this point that Hajj became one of the five pillars of Islam.

During medieval times, pilgrims would gather in the big cities of Syria, Egypt, and Iraq to go to Mecca in groups and caravans comprising tens of thousands of pilgrims,[30] often under state patronage.[31] Hajj caravans, particularly with the advent of the Mamluk Sultanate and its successor, the Ottoman Empire, were escorted by a military force accompanied by physicians under the command of an amir al-hajj.[32][33] This was done to protect the caravan from Bedouin robbers or natural hazards,[n 2][32][33] and to ensure that the pilgrims were supplied with the necessary provisions.[32] Muslim travelers like Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta have recorded detailed accounts of Hajj journeys in medieval times.[34] The caravans followed well-established routes called in Arabic darb al-hajj, lit. "pilgrimage road", which usually followed ancient routes such as the King's Highway.

Timing of Hajj

[edit]

The date of Hajj is determined by the Islamic calendar (known as the Hijri calendar or AH), which is based on the lunar year.[35][36] Every year, the events of Hajj take place in a ten-day period, starting on 1 and ending on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar. Among these ten days, the 9th Dhul-Hijjah is known as Day of Arafah, and this day is called the day of Hajj. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and the Islamic year is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian year, the Gregorian date for Hajj changes from year to year. Thus, each year in the Gregorian calendar, the pilgrimage starts eleven days (sometimes ten days) earlier.[36][37] This makes it possible for the Hajj season to fall twice in one Gregorian year, and it does so every 33 years. The last time this phenomenon occurred was in 2006.[38]

The table below shows the Gregorian dates of Hajj in recent years (the dates correspond to 9 Dhul-Hijjah of the Hijri calendar). Prospective dates are approximate:

AH Gregorian date
1432 2011, 5 November[39]
1433 2012, 25 October
1434 2013, 14 October[40][41]
1435 2014, 3 October[42]
1436 2015, 23 September[43]
1437 2016, 11 September[44][45]
1438 2017, 31 August[46]
1439 2018, 20 August[47]
1440 2019, 10 August[47]
1441 2020, 30 July[47]
1442 2021, 19 July[47]
1443 2022, 8 July[47]
1444 2023, 27 June[47]
1445 2024, 15 June[47]

Rites

[edit]
Diagram of the locations and rites of Hajj

Fiqh literature describes in detail the manners of carrying out the rites of Hajj, and pilgrims generally follow handbooks and expert guides to successfully fulfill the requirements of Hajj.[48] In performing the rites of Hajj, the pilgrims not only follow the model of Muhammad, but also commemorate the events associated with Abraham.[49]

Ihram

[edit]
Main article: Ihram

Ihram is the name given to the special spiritual state, state of holiness, which marks the start of the ritual of Hajj for each person.[7][50] Ihram is initiated upon the arrival to the Miqat or prior to reaching it, depending on where they have come from.

When pilgrims enter into the state of Ihram, they are required to abstain from certain actions.[51] While in ihram, males are required to wear two white seamless cloths, with one wrapped around the waist reaching below the knee and the other draped over the left shoulder and tied at the right side. For females this involves wearing ordinary dress that fulfills the Islamic condition of public dress with hands and face uncovered;[52][page needed]. Other prohibitions include refraining from clipping nails, shaving any part of the body, having sexual relations; using perfumes, damaging plants, killing animals, covering the head (for men) or the face and hands (for women); getting married; or carrying weapons.[7][50]

The Ihram is meant to show equality of all pilgrims in front of God, with no difference between the rich and the poor.[49] Donning such unsewn white garments entirely is believed to distance man from material ostentation, and engross him in a world of purity and spirituality, since clothes are believed to show individuality and distinction and create superficial barriers that separate individuals. The garments of Ihram are seen as the antithesis of that individualism. Ihram clothing is also a reminder of shrouds worn after death.[53]

Tawaf and sa'ay

[edit]
Direction of the tawaf around the Kaaba

The ritual of tawaf involves walking seven times counterclockwise around the Kaaba.[54] Upon arriving at Al-Masjid Al-Ḥarām, pilgrims perform an arrival tawaf either as part of Umrah or as a welcome tawaf.[55] During tawaf, pilgrims also include Hateem – an area at the north side of the Kaaba – inside their path. Each circuit starts and ends with the kissing or touching of the Black Stone. Pilgrims also point to the stone and recite a prayer known as Talbiyah.[56] If kissing or touching the stone is not possible because of crowds, pilgrims may simply point towards the stone with their right hand on each circuit. Eating is not permitted but the drinking of water is permitted and encouraged, because of the risk of dehydration. Men are encouraged to perform the first three circuits at a hurried pace, known as Ramal, and the following four at a more leisurely pace.[52][page needed][56]

The completion of Tawaf is followed by two Rakaat prayers at the Place of Abraham (Muqam Ibrahim), a site near the Kaaba inside the mosque.[56][57] However, again because of large crowds during the days of Hajj, they may instead pray anywhere in the mosque. After prayer, pilgrims also drink water from the Zamzam well, which is made available in coolers throughout the Mosque.[58]

Although the circuits around the Kaaba are traditionally done on the ground level, tawaf is now also performed on the first floor and roof of the mosque because of the large crowds.

This rite is said to be the manifestation of Tawhid, the Oneness of God. The heart and soul of the pilgrim should move around Kaaba, the symbol of the House of God, in a way that no worldly attraction distracts him from this path. Only Tawhid should attract him. Tawaf also represents Muslims' unity. During tawaf, everyone encircles Kaaba collectively.[53]

Tawaf is followed by sa'ay, running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, located near the Kaaba.[54][57] Previously in the open air, the place is now entirely enclosed by the Sacred Mosque, and can be accessed via air-conditioned tunnels.[59] Pilgrims are advised to walk the circuit, though two green pillars mark a short section of the path where they run. There is also an internal "express lane" for elderly or disabled people. After sa'ay, male pilgrims shave or trim their hair and women generally clip a portion of their hair, which completes the Umrah.

  • Sa'yee towards Safa
    Sa'yee towards Safa
  • Central section reserved for the elderly and the disabled. It is also divided into two directions of travel.
    Central section reserved for the elderly and the disabled. It is also divided into two directions of travel.
  • Sa'yee returning from Safa
    Sa'yee returning from Safa

First day of Hajj: 8th Dhu al-Hijjah (Tarwiyah Day)

[edit]

On the 8th Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims are reminded of their duties. They again don the Ihram garments and confirm their intention to make the pilgrimage. The prohibitions of Ihram start now.

The name of Tarwiyah refers to a narration of Ja'far al-Sadiq. He described the reason that there was no water at Mount Arafat on the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. If pilgrims wanted to stay at Arafat, they would have prepared water from Mecca and carried it by themselves there. So they told each other to drink enough. Finally, this day called Tarwiyah[60] that means to quench thirst in the Arabic language.[61] Tarwiyah Day is the first day of Hajj ritual. Also on this day, Husayn ibn Ali began to go to Karbala from Mecca.[62] Muhammad nominated to Tarwiyah Day as one of the four chosen days.[61]

Mina

[edit]
Pilgrims wearing Ihram near Mount Arafat on the day of Hajj
Mount Arafat during Hajj

After the morning prayer on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims proceed to Mina where they spend the whole day and offer noon (Note: On Friday, Friday Prayer is Offered, instead of Dhuhr Prayer, at Mina), afternoon, evening, and night prayers.[63] The next morning after morning prayer, they leave Mina to go to Arafat.

Second day: 9th Dhu al-Hijjah (Arafah Day)

[edit]

The 9th Dhul-Hijjah is known as Day of Arafah, and this day is called the Day of Hajj.[45]

Arafat

[edit]
Main article: Day of Arafah

On 9th Dhu al-Hijjah before noon, pilgrims arrive at Arafat, a barren and plain land some 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Mecca,[64] where they stand in contemplative vigil: they offer supplications, repent on and atone for their past sins, and seek the mercy of God, and listen to the sermon from the Islamic scholars who deliver it from near Jabal al-Rahmah (The Mount of Mercy)[63] from where Muhammad is said to have delivered his last sermon. Lasting from noon through sunset,[64] this is known as 'standing before God' (wuquf), one of the most significant rites of Hajj.[7] At Masjid al-Namirah, pilgrims offer noon and afternoon prayers together at noontime.[63] A pilgrim's Hajj is considered invalid if they do not spend the afternoon on Arafat.[64]

Muzdalifah

[edit]
Pilgrims at Muzdalifah

Pilgrims must leave Arafat for Muzdalifah after sunset without performing their maghrib (sunset) prayer at Arafat.[65] Muzdalifah is an area between Arafat and Mina. Upon reaching there, pilgrims perform Maghrib and Isha prayer jointly, spend the night praying and sleeping on the ground with open sky, and gather pebbles for the next day's ritual of the stoning of the Devil (Shaytan).[66]

Third day: 10th Dhu al-Hijjah (Qurban Day)

[edit]

After the morning prayer, the Pilgrims move from Muzdalifah to Mina.

Ramy al-Jamarat

[edit]
Main article: Stoning of the Devil
Pilgrims performing "Ramy Al-Jamarat" (Stoning of the Devil) ceremony during the 2006 Hajj

At Mina, the pilgrims perform symbolic Stoning of the Devil (Ramy al-Jamarat) by throwing seven stones from sunrise to sunset at only the largest of the three pillars, known as Jamrat al-Aqabah.[67][self-published source?] The remaining two pillars (jamarah) are not stoned on this day.[68] These pillars are said to represent Satan.[69] Pilgrims climb ramps to the multi-levelled Jamaraat Bridge, from which they can throw their pebbles at the jamarat. Because of safety reasons, in 2004 the pillars were replaced by long walls, with catch basins below to collect the pebbles.[70][71]

Animal sacrificing

[edit]

After the stoning of the Devil, cattle (Surah 22:34-36) are sacrificed to commemorate the story of Ibrahim and Ismael. Traditionally the pilgrims slaughtered the animal themselves or oversaw the slaughtering. Today many pilgrims buy a sacrifice voucher in Mecca before the greater Hajj begins, which allows an animal to be slaughtered in the name of God (Allah) on the 10th, without the pilgrim being physically present. Modern abattoirs complete the processing of the meat, which is then sent as a charity to poor people around the world.[59] At the same time as the sacrifices occur at Mecca, Muslims worldwide perform similar sacrifices, in a three-day global festival called Eid al-Adha.[13]

Hair removal

[edit]

After sacrificing an animal, another important rite of Hajj is the shaving or trimming of head hair (known as Halak). All male pilgrims shave their head or trim their hair on the day of Eid al Adha and female pilgrims cut the tips of their hair.[72][73][74]

Tawaf Ziyarat/Ifadah

[edit]
Pilgrims performing Tawaf around the Kaaba

On the same or the following day, the pilgrims re-visit the Sacred Mosque in Mecca for another tawaf, known as Tawaf al-Ifadah, an essential part of Hajj.[73] It symbolizes being in a hurry to respond to God and show love for Him, an obligatory part of Hajj. The night of the 10th is spent back at Mina.

Fourth day: 11th Dhu al-Hijjah

[edit]

Starting from noon to sunset on the 11 Dhu al-Hijjah (and again the following day), the pilgrims again throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars in Mina. This is commonly known as the "Stoning of the Devil".[67]

Fifth day: 12th Dhu al-Hijjah

[edit]

On 12 Dhu al-Hijjah, the same process of the stoning of the pillars as of 11 Dhu al-Hijjah takes place.[67] Pilgrims may leave Mina for Mecca before sunset on the 12th.

Last day at Mina: 13th Dhu al-Hijjah

[edit]

If unable to leave on the 12th before sunset or opt to stay longer, they must perform the stoning ritual again on the 13th before returning to Mecca.[67]

Tawaf al-Wadaa

[edit]

Finally, before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a farewell tawaf called the Tawaf al-Wadaa. 'Wadaa' means 'to bid farewell'. The pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise, and if they can, attempt to touch or kiss the Kaaba.[75]

Journey to Medina

[edit]

During their journey for Hajj, pilgrims traditionally also travel to the city of Medina (approximately 450 kilometres (280 mi) to the northeast), in particular to pray at the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet),[76] which contains the tomb of Muhammad.[59] The Quba Mosque and Masjid al-Qiblatayn are also usually visited.[77]

Significance

[edit]

To Muslims, Hajj is associated with religious as well as social significance.[78] The obligation for performing this pilgrimage is only fulfilled if it is done on the eighth to twelfth day of the last month of the Islamic calendar. If in a given year, an adult Muslim is in good health and their life and wealth are safe, they must perform the Hajj in the same year. Delaying it is considered sinful unless the delay is caused by reasons beyond their control.[79]

Apart from being an obligatory religious duty, the Hajj is seen to have a spiritual merit that provides Muslims with an opportunity of self-renewal.[78] Hajj serves as a reminder of the Day of Judgment when Muslims believe people will stand before God.[80] Hadith literature (sayings of Muhammad) lists various merits a pilgrim achieves upon successful completion of their Hajj.[n 3] After successful pilgrimage, pilgrims can prefix their names with the title 'Al-Hajji', and are held with respect in Muslim society.[81] However, Islamic scholars suggest Hajj should signify a Muslim's religious commitment, and should not be a measurement of their social status.[81] Hajj brings together and unites the Muslims from different parts of the world irrespective of their race, colour, and culture, which acts as a symbol of equality.[7][72]

A 2008 study on the impact of participating in the Islamic pilgrimage found that Muslim communities become more positive and tolerant after Hajj. Titled Estimating the Impact of the Hajj: Religion and Tolerance in Islam's Global Gathering and conducted in conjunction with Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, the study noted that the Hajj "increases belief in equality and harmony among ethnic groups and Islamic sects and leads to more favourable attitudes toward women, including greater acceptance of female education and employment" and that "Hajjis show increased belief in peace, equality and harmony among adherents of different religions."[82]

Malcolm X, an American activist during the Civil Rights Movement, describes the sociological atmosphere he experienced at his Hajj in the 1960s as follows:

There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white. America needs to understand Islam because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to rearrange much of my thought-patterns previously held.[83]

Differences between Hajj and Umrah

[edit]
Main article: Umrah
  • Both are Islamic pilgrimages, the main difference is their level of importance and the method of observance.[84]
  • Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim once in their lifetime, provided they are physically fit and financially capable.[85]
  • Hajj is performed over specific days during a designated Islamic month. However, Umrah can be performed at any time.
  • Although they share common rites, Umrah can be performed in less than a few hours while Hajj is more time-consuming, and involves more rituals.

Arrangement and facilities

[edit]
A Saudi security officer on vigil

Most of the Hajj-related issues are handled by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Making necessary arrangements each year for the growing number of pilgrims poses a logistic challenge for the government of Saudi Arabia, which has, since the 1950s, spent more than $100 billion to increase pilgrimage facilities.[31][35] Major issues like housing, transportation, sanitation, and health care have been addressed and improved greatly by the government by introducing various development programs, with the result that pilgrims now enjoy modern facilities and perform various rites at ease.[59] The Saudi government often sets quotas for various countries to keep the pilgrims' number at a manageable level, and arranges huge security forces and CCTV cameras to maintain overall safety during Hajj.[31][35][86][87] Various institutions and government programs, such as the Haj subsidy offered in Pakistan or the Tabung Haji based in Malaysia assist pilgrims in covering the costs of the journey.[88] For the 2014 Hajj, special Hajj information desks were set up at Pakistani airports to assist the pilgrims.[89] For the benefit of pilgrims from India and Pakistan, Urdu signs were also introduced at the mosques.[90]

Technology solutions

[edit]

The Saudi government employs technology to protect the safety, and enhance the experience, of the pilgrim's journey. Recently, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced the Hajj pilgrims' e-bracelet program that stores pilgrims' essential data and which helps to provide them with the necessary support.[91] In 2018, SAFCSP organized the Hajj Hackathon event in Jeddah, with 2,950 participants from over 100 countries. The event aims at exploring the use of technology to provide solutions for Hajj pilgrims.[92][93] In 2019, the "Fatwa Robot" service was launched to provide pilgrims with fatwas and other religious advice.[94] Two interactive apps were launched by Hajj authorities to provide pilgrims with a range of services through their smartphones. The services, which are available in nine languages, help pilgrims in finding emergency service centres, holy sites, currency exchanges, restaurants, and accommodation.[95]

Visa requirements

[edit]
See also: Visa policy of Saudi Arabia

To enter Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj as a Muslim, visa requirements have to be satisfied.[96][97] Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is planning to ease visas issuance by enabling Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to obtain e-visa within minutes through campaigns and companies.[98] For the upcoming Umrah season, visas can be electronically issued within 24 hours via a special platform established by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.[99] For passengers traveling from the United States, they must purchase a package from a licensed Hajj agency. People from Gulf Cooperation Council countries do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and vice versa. People with Saudi visas are not allowed to enter the site unless they are Muslim.

Makkah Route Initiative

[edit]

Makkah Route Initiative is an initiative made by the Saudi government to facilitate the pilgrims entries to Saudi Arabia by completing it in the airports of their countries. The initiative has been implemented since 2018 by The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[100] In 2019, the initiative is planned to provide service to around 225,000 pilgrims from airports in Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Tunisia.[101] The provided services include:

  1. Issuance of visas.
  2. Making sure that the pilgrims' health conditions comply with the requirements and to make certain that the potential pilgrims have taken preventive measures related to the epidemiological situation in the world.[102]
  3. Codifying and sorting luggage at the pilgrims' airports and delivering them to the pilgrims' hotels directly upon arrival.[101]

Transportation

[edit]

Traditionally, the pilgrimage to Mecca was mainly an overland journey using camels as a means of transport. During the second half of the nineteenth century (after the 1850s), steamships began to be used in the pilgrimage journey to Mecca, and the number of pilgrims traveling on sea routes increased.[103] This continued for some time,[104] until air travel came to predominate; Egypt introduced the first airline service for Hajj pilgrims in 1937.[105][106] Today, many airlines and travel agents offer Hajj packages, and arrange for transportation and accommodation for the pilgrims.[107] King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina have dedicated pilgrim terminals to assist with the large numbers of pilgrims.[108][109] Other international airports around the world, such as Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Jinnah in Karachi and Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta also have dedicated terminals or temporary facilities to service pilgrims as they depart for the Hajj and return home.[110] During Hajj, many airlines run extra flights to accommodate the large number of pilgrims.[35][108]

During official Hajj days, pilgrims travel between the different locations by metro, bus or on foot. The Saudi government strictly controls vehicles access into these heavily congested areas. However, the journey can take many hours due to heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic. In 2010, the Saudi government started operating the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line as an exclusive shuttle train for pilgrims between Arafat, Muzdalifa and Mina. The service, which operates only during the days of Hajj, shortens the travel time during the critical "Nafrah" from Arafat to Muzdalifah to minutes. Due to its limited capacity, the use of the metro is not open to all pilgrims.

Sustainability

[edit]

Hajj has a considerable environmental impact, with the average pilgrim contributing about 60.5 kg CO2-eq per day. Transport, lodging, food, and waste generated an estimated 3.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent during the 2011 Hajj season.[111] Most pilgrims travel to Mecca by air[112] and long-haul air travel accounts for 60% of greenhouse gas emissions created by Hajj.[111]

Rising global temperatures mean that in the future, people undertaking Hajj could face "extreme danger" due to heat and humidity.[113][114][115] Projected temperature rises of 1.5° to 2° could have significant impacts on the health of participants, many of whom are elderly.[116][117] In 2021 Ummah for Earth and Greenpeace Middle East published research which suggested climate actions which included adapting the Great Mosque for solar power.[118] In the Summer of 2024, Saudi officials reported treating more than 2,000 people for heat stress. As of June 21 550 people had died from heat stroke. At least 320 of the dead were from Egypt.[119] As of June 23 2024, more than 1000 people had died,[120] more than half of them were from Egypt. The government revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies that helped unauthorized pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia.[120] As of July 2 the Saudi government said that 1301 people had died doing the Hajj.[121]

Green Hajj Camp

[edit]

In 2011, Husna Ahmad created the first green guide to Hajj.[114] In 2019, Saudi Arabia launched an environment-friendly Hajj initiative under the auspices of the environmental technologist Magda Abu Ras.[122] One aspect discouraged the consumption of plastics and was entitled Hajj without Plastic.[122] The project is implemented in 30 camps in Mina where pilgrims are encouraged to sort out their wastes. Moreover, the proceeds are used for charitable purposes.[123] The project has a number of objectives as follows:

  1. Decreasing environmental harms.
  2. Improving the management system of solid waste.
  3. Preserving pilgrims' and camps' safety.[123]

Incidents

[edit]
Main article: Incidents during the Hajj

Crowd-control problems

[edit]

Pilgrim numbers have greatly increased in recent years, which has led to numerous accidents and deaths due to overcrowding. The first major accident during Hajj in modern times occurred in 1990, when a tunnel stampede led to the death of 1,462 people.[124] Afterwards, various crowd-control techniques were adopted to improve safety. Because of large crowds, some of the rituals have become more symbolic. For example, it is no longer necessary to kiss the Black Stone. Instead, pilgrims simply point at it on each circuit around the Kaaba. Also, the large pillars used for pebble throwing were changed into long walls in 2004 with basins below to catch the stones.[70][71] Another example is that animal sacrifice is now done at slaughterhouses appointed by the Saudi authorities, without the pilgrims being present there.[52][125][126] In the 70s and 80s, a number of deaths occurred, this was because of a stampede or a siege.

Despite safety measures, incidents may happen during the Hajj as pilgrims are trampled or ramps collapse under the weight of the many visitors. During 2015 Hajj, a stampede resulted in 769 deaths and injuries to 934 others, according to the Saudi authorities.[127][128] A report from Associated Press totalled at least 2,411 deaths from official reports from other countries, making it the most deadly such episode to date.[129][127] Concerns were raised in 2013 and 2014 about the spread of MERS because of mass gatherings during the Hajj.[130][131] Saudi Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabia said authorities have detected no cases of MERS among the pilgrims so far.[132] He also said that, despite few cases of MERS, Saudi Arabia was ready for the 2014 pilgrimage.[133][134][needs update]

In November 2017, Saudi authorities banned selfies at the two holy sites.[135]

COVID-19

[edit]

In February 2020, Saudi Arabia temporarily banned foreign pilgrims from entering Mecca and Medina to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Kingdom.[136] It later temporarily suspended the pilgrimage of Umrah.[137] In June, the Saudi government announced that only "very limited numbers" of pilgrims already resident in Saudi Arabia would be permitted to participate in the Hajj.[20]

Hajj and the Saudi economy

[edit]
See also: Economy of Saudi Arabia

In 2014, Saudi Arabia was expected to have earned up to $8.5 billion from Hajj.[138] Saudi Arabia's highest source of revenue after oil and gas is Hajj and the country is expected to depend more on Hajj as the amounts of available oil and gas for sale decline.[139]

Furthermore, the increase of religious tourism from about 12 million Muslims annually to almost 17 million by 2025 has given rise to increasing luxury hotel businesses in the area to accommodate pilgrims. The Abraj al-Bait firm intends to build hotels, shopping malls and apartments which is claimed to be an estimated value of three billion dollars.[140] According to The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi government are working towards establishing programs which promote sanitation, housing, transportation, and welfare as the number of visiting pilgrims increases.

Most pilgrims, from countries such as the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom decide to purchase packages from licensed Hajj agencies in their countries. This helps direct the flow of traffic into the Kingdom and allows for pilgrims to work directly with a business responsible for their services instead of dealing directly with Saudi Arabia's government.[141]

In July 2020, the WSJ reported that following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saudi authorities curtailed the five-day event in Mecca to fewer than 10,000 people already residing in the country. It also noted that the hospitality and housing industries that rely entirely on Hajj revenue would face severe loss of revenue.[142]

In 2017, the Hajj and Umrah revenues were expected to exceed US$150 billion by 2022.[143] Hajj revenues are expected to cross US$350 billion by 2032, according to a report published by The Moodie Davitt.[144]

Number of pilgrims per year

[edit]
Pictographic world map comparing the largest periodic human migration events[145]

There has been a substantial increase in the number of pilgrims during the last 92 years, and the number of foreign pilgrims has increased by approximately 2,824 percent, from 58,584 in 1920 to 1,712,962 in 2012.[146] Because of development and expansion work at Masjid al-Haram, the authority restricted the number of pilgrims in 2013.[147][148]

Between 1940 and 1945, foreign pilgrims were restricted from arriving in Saudi Arabia as a result of World War II;[149] the pilgrimages in 2020 and 2021 were severely restricted while the country was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. In the most recent 2023 Hajj, there were 1,845,045 total pilgrims, including about 184,000 Saudis.[150]

The following number of pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia each year to perform Hajj:

Gregorian year Hijri year Local pilgrims Foreign pilgrims Total
1920 1338 58,584[146]
1921 1339 57,255[146]
1922 1340 56,319[146]
1950 1369 100,000 (approx.)[3]
1950s 150,000 (approx.)[151]
1960s 300,000 (approx.)[151]
1970s 700,000 (approx.)[151]
1980s 900,000 (approx.)[151]
1989 1409 774,600[152]
1990 1410 827,200[152]
1991 1411 720,100[152]
1992 1412 1,015,700[152]
1993 1413 992,800[152]
1994 1414 997,400[152]
1995 1415 1,046,307[152]
1996 1416 784,769 1,080,465[152][17] 1,865,234
1997 1417 774,260 1,168,591[152][17] 1,942,851
1998 1418 699,770 1,132,344 1,832,114[152][153]
1999 1419 775,268 1,056,730 1,831,998
2000 1420 466,430[154] 1,267,355 1,733,785[154]
2001 1421 440,808 1,363,992 1,804,800[155]
2002 1422 590,576 1,354,184 1,944,760
2003 1423 493,230 1,431,012 1,924,242[156]
2004 1424 473,004[157] 1,419,706[158] 1,892,710[157]
2005 1425 1,030,000 (approx.) 1,534,769 2,560,000 (approx.)[159]
2006 1426 573,147 1,557,447 2,130,594[160]
2006 1427 724,229 1,654,407 2,378,636[161]
2007 1428 746,511 1,707,814 2,454,325[162][163]
2008 1429 1,729,841[18]
2009 1430 154,000 1,613,000 2,521,000[164]
2010 1431 989,798 1,799,601 2,854,345[165]
2011 1432 1,099,522 1,828,195 2,927,717[166]
2012 1433 1,408,641 1,752,932 3,161,573[19]
2013 1434 600,718[167] 1,379,531[168] 1,980,249[167]
2014 1435 696,185[167] 1,389,053[169] 2,085,238[167]
2015 1436 567,876[167] 1,384,941[170] 1,952,817[167]
2016 1437 537,537[171] 1,325,372[171] 1,862,909[171]
2017 1438 600,108 1,752,014 2,352,122[16]
2018 1439 612,953 1,758,722 2,371,675[172]
2019 1440 634,379 1,855,027 2,489,406[173]
2020 1441 1,000[174]
2021 1442 58,745[175][176] 0[175] 58,745[176]
2022 1443 119,434[177] 779,919[177] 899,353[177]
2023 1444 184,000[150] 1,845,045[150]
2024 1445 221,854[178] 1,611,310[178] 1,833,164[178]
[edit]
  • Pilgrim in supplication at the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca.
    Pilgrim in supplication at the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca.
  • The largest Jamarah (pillar) these pillars depict the evils in Islam and are stoned by the devotees.
    The largest Jamarah (pillar) these pillars depict the evils in Islam and are stoned by the devotees.
  • Pilgrims visiting the well of Zamzam.
    Pilgrims visiting the well of Zamzam.
  • Mount Safa within the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca.
    Mount Safa within the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca.
  • Mount Marwah within the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca.
    Mount Marwah within the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca.
  • Tents at Mina.
    Tents at Mina.
  • Mount Arafat during Ḥajj with Pilgrims supplicating.
    Mount Arafat during Ḥajj with Pilgrims supplicating.
  • Mount Arafat, a few miles away from Mecca.
    Mount Arafat, a few miles away from Mecca.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The verses read: "And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled.... Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety, and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Ishmael, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).... And remember Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House (2:124–127)" and "And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, through deep and distant mountain highways, that they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat ye thereof and feed the distressed one, the needy. Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House." (22:27–29)
  2. ^ Ibn Jubayr noted the skeletons of the faithful who had died of thirst en route. In the 17th century, a group of Egyptian pilgrims lost over 1,500 people and 900 camels. In 1924 around one-fifth of a group of Syrian pilgrims died and two years later, 12,000 are thought to have died during the journey. [Islam in the World by Malise Ruthven. Granta Publications, 2006. p. 2. ISBN 1-86207-906-4.]
  3. ^ For example, one such Hadith says Abu Huraira quoted Muhammad as saying: "Whoever performs Hajj for God's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew."Sahih al-Bukhari, 2:26:596

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ "Hajj" Archived 30 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
  2. ^ Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi (26 March 2016). The Laws of Islam (PDF). San Bernardino: Enlight Press. p. 471. ISBN 978-0-9942409-8-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b Long, Matthew (2011). Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures. Tarrytown, N.Y.: Marshall Cavendish Corporation. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-7614-7926-0. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  4. ^ Nigosian, S. A. (2004). Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 110. ISBN 0-253-21627-3.
  5. ^ Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs - Islam Archived 2 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine See drop-down essay on "Islamic Practices"
  6. ^ "Surah Al-An'am - 19".
  7. ^ a b c d e Nigosian, S. A. (2004). Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices. Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 111. ISBN 0-253-21627-3.
  8. ^ Hooker, M. B. (2008). Indonesian Syariah: Defining a National School of Islamic Law. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 228. ISBN 978-981-230-802-3. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  9. ^ Adelowo, E. Dada, ed. (2014). Perspectives in Religious Studies: Volume III. Ibadan: HEBN Publishers Plc. p. 395. ISBN 978-978-081-447-2. Archived from the original on 28 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  10. ^ 13th of Zil Hajj, heliohost.org, archived from the original on 28 October 2019, retrieved 29 March 2015
  11. ^ "Hajj The Holy Pilgrimage". Salamislam. 3 January 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  12. ^ Karen Armstrong (2002). Islam: A Short History. Modern Library Chronicles (Revised Updated ed.). Modern Library. pp. 10–12. ISBN 0-8129-6618-X.
  13. ^ a b "Eid ul Adha". BBC. 7 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 October 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  14. ^ Sahih Bukhari-hadith No-732-733
  15. ^ Matt Stefon, ed. (2010). Islamic Beliefs and Practices. New York City: Britannica Educational Publishing. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-61530-060-0.
  16. ^ a b "Haj Statistics". General Authority for Statistics, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 2017. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018.
  17. ^ a b c "Record number of pilgrims arrive for 1417 Hajj". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 15 April 1997. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  18. ^ a b "Record number of pilgrims arrive for Hajj". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 6 December 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  19. ^ a b "3,161,573 pilgrims perform Hajj this year". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 27 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Saudi Arabia will sharply limit Hajj Pilgrimage". Live Global Coronavirus News. The New York Times. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. ^ AFP (20 July 2021). "In Mecca, Women Take Part in Hajj as 'Guardian' Rule Dropped". VOA. Archived from the original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  22. ^ Moše Flôrenṭîn (2005). Late Samaritan Hebrew: A Linguistic Analysis of Its Different Types. BRILL. p. 138. ISBN 978-90-04-13841-4. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Hajj". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  24. ^ Haykal, Muhammad Husayn (1994). The Life of Muhammad. The Other Press. p. 29. ISBN 978-983-9154-17-7. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  25. ^ Peters, F. E. (1994). The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. pp. 4–7. ISBN 0-691-02120-1. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  26. ^ F.E. Peters (1994), The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage To Mecca and The Holy Places, Princeton University Press, p.6
  27. ^ Al Mubarakpuri, Safi ur Rahman (2002). "Religions of the Arabs". The Sealed Nectar: Biography of the Noble Prophet. Darussalam. p. 45. ISBN 9960-899-55-1. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  28. ^ Husayn Haykal, Muhammad (2008). The Life of Muhammad. Selangor: Islamic Book Trust. pp. 439–40. ISBN 978-983-9154-17-7. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  29. ^ Campo, Juan E., ed. (2009). "Muhammad". Encyclopedia of Islam. Facts On File. p. 494. ISBN 978-0-8160-5454-1. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  30. ^ Peters, F. E. (1994). The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places. Princeton University Press. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-691-02619-0. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  31. ^ a b c Campo, Juan E., ed. (2009). "Hajj". Encyclopedia of Islam. Facts On File. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-8160-5454-1. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  32. ^ a b c Singer, Amy (2002), Constructing Ottoman Beneficence: An Imperial Soup Kitchen in Jerusalem, SUNY Press, p. 141, ISBN 978-0-7914-5351-3, archived from the original on 6 April 2022, retrieved 19 October 2020
  33. ^ a b Philipp, Thomas (1998), The Mamluks in Egyptian Politics and Society, Cambridge University Press, pp. 102–104, ISBN 978-0-521-59115-7, archived from the original on 6 April 2022, retrieved 19 October 2020
  34. ^ Peters, F. E. (1994). The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places. Princeton University Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-691-02619-0. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  35. ^ a b c d Harrison, David, ed. (2001). Tourism and the Less Developed World: Issues and Case Studies. CABI. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-85199-433-8. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  36. ^ a b Reynolds, Gabriel said (2012). The Emergence of Islam: Classical Traditions in Contemporary Perspective. Fortress Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-4514-0812-6. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  37. ^ Sheikh, Aziz, ed. (2008). Caring for Muslim Patients. Radcliffe Publishing. p. 95. ISBN 978-1-85775-812-2. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  38. ^ "Principal Islamic Days of Observance according to Umm al-Qura Calendar". The Umm al-Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia. 2014. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  39. ^ Penprase, Bryan E (2010). The Power of Stars: How Celestial Observations Have Shaped Civilization. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-4419-6803-6. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Hajj celebrated by Muslims in Mecca - video". The Guardian. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  41. ^ "Hajj today". The Daily Star. 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  42. ^ "Islamic State militants are enemies of humanity: Saudi Grand Mufti". Dawn. 3 October 2014. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  43. ^ "Hajj Performed: 2 million pilgrims pray for world peace". The Daily Star. 24 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  44. ^ "Rituals of the hajj – World – Dunya News". 14 February 2008. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  45. ^ a b Hilleary, Cecily (11 September 2016). "Muslims Mark Most Important Day of Hajj in Saudi Arabia". Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  46. ^ "Hajj 2017: When is it and how long does it take?". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g van Gent, Robert Harry. "The Umm al-Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia". Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  48. ^ Campo, Juan E., ed. (2009). "Hajj". Encyclopedia of Islam. Facts On File. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-8160-5454-1. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  49. ^ a b Neusner, Jacob (2000). World Religions in America: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox Press. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-664-25839-9. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  50. ^ a b "ihram". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2014. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  51. ^ "Ihram – Summary". Hajj Portal. Archived from the original on 21 July 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  52. ^ a b c Mohamed, Mamdouh N. (1996). Hajj to Umrah: From A to Z. Amana Publications. ISBN 0-915957-54-X.
  53. ^ a b "The Philosophy of Hajj Rituals". 3 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  54. ^ a b Long, Matthew (2011). Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures. Marshall Cavendish Corporation. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-7614-7926-0. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  55. ^ Long, David E. (1979). The Hajj Today: A Survey of the Contemporary Pilgrimage to Makkah. SUNY Press. p. 16. ISBN 0-87395-382-7. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  56. ^ a b c Long, David E. (1979). The Hajj Today: A Survey of the Contemporary Pilgrimage to Makkah. SUNY Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-87395-382-5. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  57. ^ a b Adelowo, E. Dada, ed. (2014). Perspectives in Religious Studies: Volume III. Ibadan: HEBN Publishers Plc. p. 401. ISBN 978-978-081-447-2. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  58. ^ "Pilgrims complain of Zamzam water shortage in Makkah". Arab News. 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  59. ^ a b c d "Hajj". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  60. ^ Reyshahri, Mohammad. "Hajj in Quran and Hadith". lib.eshia. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  61. ^ a b "the reason for naming Tarwiyah day". farsnews. 22 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  62. ^ Reyshahri, Mohammad. "Enclopedia of Imam Husain based on Quran and Hadith". lib.eshia. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  63. ^ a b c Adelowo, E. Dada, ed. (2014). Perspectives in Religious Studies: Volume III. Ibadan: HEBN Publishers Plc. p. 403. ISBN 978-978-081-447-2. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  64. ^ a b c Long, David E. (1979). The Hajj Today: A Survey of the Contemporary Pilgrimage to Makkah. SUNY Press. p. 19. ISBN 0-87395-382-7. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  65. ^ Sahih Muslim-Hadith No 2941.2944
  66. ^ Sahih Bukhari Hadith No: 732,733, and 734
  67. ^ a b c d al-Hasani, Abu Qanit al-Sharif (2009). The Guiding Helper: Main Text and Explanatory Notes. Lulu.com. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-4452-3791-6. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  68. ^ "easyhajj.co.uk". easyhajj.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  69. ^ Nigosian (2004). Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices. Indiana University Press. p. 112. ISBN 0-253-21627-3.
  70. ^ a b Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures. Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 2011. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-7614-7926-0. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  71. ^ a b Gad-el-Hak, Mohamed, ed. (2008). Large-Scale Disasters: Prediction, Control, and Mitigation. Cambridge University Press. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-139-47229-6. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  72. ^ a b "Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca". BBC. 8 September 2009. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  73. ^ a b Long (1979). The Hajj Today: A Survey of the Contemporary Pilgrimage to Makkah. SUNY Press. p. 21. ISBN 0-87395-382-7. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  74. ^ Sahih Muslim Hadith no:2985,2994
  75. ^ Sheikho, Mohammad Amin; Al-Dayrani, A. K. John Alias (19 July 2017). Pilgrimage "Hajj": The Fifth High Grade of Al-Taqwa. BookRix. ISBN 978-3-7309-9606-5. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  76. ^ Al Masry, Ahmed (15 September 2006). "Muslim pilgrims flock to Medina after performing Hajj". aa.com.tr. Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  77. ^ Norani Noridin; Nordin Yusof (2008). A life that matters: a spiritual experience. The Other Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-967-5062-02-5. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  78. ^ a b Sheikh, Aziz, ed. (2008). Caring for Muslim Patients. Radcliffe Publishing. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-85775-812-2. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  79. ^ Musharraf, Hussain (2012). The Five Pillars of Islam: Laying the Foundations of Divine Love and Service to Humanity. Leicestershire, UK: Kube Publishing. pp. 204–205. ISBN 9781847740236.
  80. ^ Powell, William (1982). Saudi Arabia and Its Royal Family. Lyle Stuart. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-8184-0326-2. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  81. ^ a b Andrea Schulte-Peevers (2010). Oman, UAE & Arabian Peninsula. Lonely Planet. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-74179-145-7. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  82. ^ Kremer, Michael; Khwaja, Asim Ijaz; Clingingsmith, David (April 2008). "Estimating the Impact of the Hajj: Religion and Tolerance in Islam's Global Gathering". Papers.ssrn.com. SSRN 1124213. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  83. ^ Malcolm X; Alex Haley (1999). The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Ballantine Books. p. 346. ISBN 978-0-345-35068-8. Archived from the original on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  84. ^ Gannon, Martin Joseph; Baxter, Ian W. F.; Collinson, Elaine; Curran, Ross; Farrington, Thomas; Glasgow, Steven; Godsman, Elliot M.; Gori, Keith; Jack, Gordon R. A. (11 June 2017). "Travelling for Umrah: destination attributes, destination image, and post-travel intentions" (PDF). The Service Industries Journal. 37 (7–8): 448–465. doi:10.1080/02642069.2017.1333601. ISSN 0264-2069. S2CID 54745153. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  85. ^ Edgar, Scott. "The Five Pillars of Islam in the Hadith." Studia Antiqua 2, no. 1 (2002). https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/studiaantiqua/ Archived 28 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  86. ^ "Dhaka seeks reconsidering 20pc cut in Hajj pilgrims quota". The Daily Star. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  87. ^ "Hajj pilgrimage 2011: by numbers". The Daily Telegraph. 3 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  88. ^ "History of Haj Announcement India". Government of Uttar Pradesh, India. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  89. ^ "First Hajj flight leaves for Jeddah". The News International. 29 August 2014. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  90. ^ "Pakistani pilgrims praise Saudi authorities for introducing Urdu signage at Holy Mosques". Arab News PK. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  91. ^ "Hajj safety: Saudi Arabia introduces hi-tech bracelets for all pilgrims". Al Arabiya. July 2016. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  92. ^ "With 2,950 participants from 100 countries, Hajj Hackathon makes Guinness Record". Al Arabiya. 2 August 2018. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  93. ^ "Saudi Arabia looks to technology to make hajj pilgrims safer – Huff Point". Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  94. ^ "Saudi ministry offers Hajj hotline and 'Fatwa Robot' service". Arab News. 11 August 2019. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  95. ^ "Hajj chiefs launch two smart apps to help pilgrims". Arab News. 7 August 2019. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  96. ^ umrahexpert. "Hajj Visa | Umrah Expert". www.umrahexpert.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  97. ^ "Entry requirements – Saudi Arabia travel advice – GOV.UK". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  98. ^ "Hajj and Umrah e-visas to be issued in minutes". EZ Hajj Groups. 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  99. ^ "e-visa for Umrah in less than 24 hours". Saudigazette. 17 August 2019. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  100. ^ "Mecca Road Initiative launches for second year to ease Hajj journey". Al Arabiya. 8 July 2019. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  101. ^ a b "Nearly 37,000 Hajj pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia via Makkah Route initiative". Arab News. 14 July 2019. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  102. ^ "Makkah Route: Health services presented to Hajjis in their home countries". Arab News. 21 July 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  103. ^ Tagliacozzo, Eric; Toorawa, Shawkat, eds. (2016). The Hajj: Pilgrimage in Islam. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 178. ISBN 978-1-107-61280-8. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  104. ^ Elfenbein, Caleb Heart Iyer (2008). Differentiating Islam: Colonialism, Sayyid Qutb, and Religious Transformation in Modern Egypt. University of California, Santa Barbara. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-549-98771-0. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  105. ^ Long, David E. (1979). The Hajj Today: A Survey of the Contemporary Pilgrimage to Makkah. SUNY Press. p. 48. ISBN 0-87395-382-7. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  106. ^ Miller, M. B. (2006). "Pilgrims' Progress: The Business of the Hajj". Past & Present (191): 189–228. doi:10.1093/pastj/gtj009. ISSN 0031-2746. S2CID 162153634.
  107. ^ Harrison, David, ed. (2001). Tourism and the Less Developed World: Issues and Case Studies. CABI. p. 157. ISBN 978-0-85199-433-8. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  108. ^ a b "Air Travel". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 2013. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  109. ^ "Pilgrims Start Arriving From India, Pakistan as Haj Terminal Is Officially Opened". Arab News. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  110. ^ "New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) Information". World Guides. TravelSmart Ltd. 2014. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  111. ^ a b El Hanandeh, Ali (August 2013). "Quantifying the carbon footprint of religious tourism: the case of Hajj". Journal of Cleaner Production. 52: 53–60. Bibcode:2013JCPro..52...53E. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.03.009. ISSN 0959-6526. S2CID 154817617.
  112. ^ Maher, Ahmed (27 October 2012). "Mecca seeks 'green Hajj'". BBC News.
  113. ^ "Study: Climate change could pose danger for Muslim pilgrimage". MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  114. ^ a b "With hajj under threat, it's time Muslims joined the climate movement". the Guardian. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  115. ^ "How climate change is affecting Hajj". The Muslim News. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  116. ^ Saeed, Fahad; Schleussner, Carl-Friedrich; Almazroui, Mansour (1 February 2021). "From Paris to Makkah: heat stress risks for Muslim pilgrims at 1.5 °C and 2 °C". Environmental Research Letters. 16 (2): 024037. Bibcode:2021ERL....16b4037S. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/abd067. ISSN 1748-9326. S2CID 229428683.
  117. ^ Masters, Jeff; Henson, Bob (15 July 2021). "More warming a threat to the Hajj - and human habitation - in the Middle East". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  118. ^ Mahmood, Zainab (5 October 2022). "Is the climate emergency making Hajj even more exclusive?". gal-dem. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  119. ^ Agence France-Presse (18 June 2024). "More than 550 hajj pilgrims die in Mecca as temperatures exceed 50C". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  120. ^ a b "Egypt to prosecute travel agents for 'fraudulent' hajj trips". The Guardian. 22 June 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  121. ^ "Saudi Arabia says 1,301 died on Hajj this year". CNN. 23 June 2024.
  122. ^ a b "حج / تطبيق مبادرة "حج بلا بلاستيك" في موسم حج هذا العام وكالة الأنباء السعودية". 2 January 2020. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  123. ^ a b "Saudi Arabia expands 'Green Haj'". Gulf News. 18 July 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  124. ^ "Glance at major hajj-related incidents in Saudi Arabia". Associated Press. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  125. ^ "Rituals of Haj Sacrifice". Consulate General of India, Jeddah. 3 October 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  126. ^ "The Saudi Project for Use of Hajj Meat". ADAHI. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  127. ^ a b "Saudi crush was deadliest hajj tragedy ever". Associated Press. 10 October 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  128. ^ "Hajj stampede: Saudis face growing criticism over deaths". BBC. 25 September 2015. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  129. ^ "AP count: Over 2,400 killed in Saudi hajj stampede, crush". AP NEWS. 10 December 2015. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  130. ^ Katz, Andrew (16 October 2013). "As the Hajj Unfolds in Saudi Arabia, A Deep Look Inside the Battle Against MERS". Time. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  131. ^ Eaves, Elisabeth (9 June 2014). "WHO's Maurizio Barbeschi Talks About MERS and Mass Events". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  132. ^ Branswell, Helen (7 November 2013). "Spain reports its first MERS case; woman travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj". Vancouver Sun. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  133. ^ Barasheed, Osamah; Rashid, Harunor; Heron, Leon; Ridda, Iman; Haworth, Elizabeth; Nguyen-Van-Tam, Jonathan; Dwyer, Dominic E.; Booy, Robert (November 2014). "Influenza Vaccination Among Australian Hajj Pilgrims: Uptake, Attitudes, and Barriers". Journal of Travel Medicine. 21 (6): 384–390. doi:10.1111/jtm.12146. PMID 25145836.
  134. ^ "Hajj pilgrimage to continue despite deadly MERS Epidemic". news.biharprabha.com. Indo-Asian News Service. Archived from the original on 25 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  135. ^ "Selfie at Mecca at Median banned by Saudi Kingdom". theindependent.in. 26 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  136. ^ "Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims visiting holy sites". BBC News. 27 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 April 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  137. ^ Ebrahim, Shahul H; Memish, Ziad A (28 February 2020). "Saudi Arabia's drastic measures to curb the COVID-19 outbreak: temporary suspension of the Umrah pilgrimage". Journal of Travel Medicine. 27 (3). doi:10.1093/jtm/taaa029. ISSN 1195-1982. PMC 7107544. PMID 32109274.
  138. ^ "Saudi Arabia: $8.5 billion income from hajj expected". Al-Arabiya English. 26 August 2014. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  139. ^ Walker, Stuart (30 December 2020). Design and Spirituality: A Philosophy of Material Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-24595-0. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  140. ^ Butt, Riazat (14 November 2010). "Mecca makeover: how the hajj has become big business for Saudi Arabia". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  141. ^ "US Hajj Company: For Hajj & Umrah Packages". EZ Hajj Groups. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  142. ^ "Saudi Arabia's Latest Challenge: Containing Covid-19 During the Hajj". Wall Street Journal. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  143. ^ "Hajj revenues poised to exceed $150bn by 2022: Experts". Arab News. 28 August 2017.
  144. ^ "Saudi Arabia Hajj tourism to become US$350 billion market by 2032". The Moodie Davitt Report. 13 August 2022.
  145. ^ McCarthy, Niall (14 February 2018). "Chinese New Year: The World's Largest Human Migration Is About To Begin". Forbes.
  146. ^ a b c d "Number of foreign Hajis grows by 2,824 percent in 92 years". The News International. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  147. ^ "Reduction in Hajj 2013 Quota" (Press release). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 8 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  148. ^ "Saudi Arabia cuts Hajj Quota for foreign pilgrims by 20 percent". Yahoo News. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  149. ^ Supratman, Frial Ramadhan (30 December 2020). "Hajj and the chaos of the Great War: Pilgrims of the Dutch East Indies in World War I (1914-1918)". Wawasan: Jurnal Ilmiah Agama Dan Sosial Budaya. 5 (2): 167–178. doi:10.15575/jw.v5i2.8584. ISSN 2502-3489. S2CID 233386606.
  150. ^ a b c "Saudi Arabia: Hajj draws 1.8 million pilgrims, falls short of pre-pandemic record". The New Arab. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  151. ^ a b c d Tagliacozzo, Eric; Toorawa, Shawkat, eds. (2016). The Hajj: Pilgrimage in Islam. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-107-61280-8. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  152. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harrison, David, ed. (2001). Tourism and the Less Developed World: Issues and Case Studies. CABI Publishing. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-85199-433-8. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  153. ^ "Final statistics for Hajj 1418 pilgrims". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 8 April 1998. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  154. ^ a b "Ministry of Pilgrimage figures released for 1420 Haj". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 20 March 2000. Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  155. ^ "Successful culmination of Hajj 1421". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 9 March 2001. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  156. ^ "Tragic deaths reported in crowding at Mina". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 11 February 2003. Archived from the original on 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  157. ^ a b "Culmination of 1424 Hajj witnesses stampede deaths". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 1 February 2004. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  158. ^ "Hajj proceeding without incident". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 30 January 2004. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  159. ^ "Prince Abdulmajeed declares Hajj 1425 a success". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 25 January 2005. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  160. ^ "Number of Hajj pilgrims tops 2 million". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 10 January 2006. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  161. ^ "More than 2.3 million pilgrims perform the Hajj this year". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 30 December 2006. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  162. ^ "More than 1.7 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 17 December 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  163. ^ "How Many Attended the Hajj?". Crossroads Arabia. 23 December 2007. Archived from the original on 25 December 2007.
  164. ^ "2,521,000 million pilgrims participated in Hajj 1430". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 29 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  165. ^ "2.8 million pilgrims participated in Hajj 1431". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 18 November 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  166. ^ "2,927,717 pilgrims performed Hajj this year". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 6 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  167. ^ a b c d e f "2018-1439 Hajj Statistics" (PDF). General Authority for Statistics Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  168. ^ "1,379,531 pilgrims from 188 countries arrived for Hajj". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 13 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  169. ^ "Small increase in foreign pilgrims". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  170. ^ "1,384,941 foreign pilgrims participated in Hajj". Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. 22 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  171. ^ a b c "Saudi Arabia says Hajj 2016 receives 1.8 million pilgrims". Al Arabiya English. 12 September 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  172. ^ "Haj Statistics". General Authority of Statistics, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 22 August 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  173. ^ "Around 2.5 million pilgrims take part in Hajj this year". Arab News. 10 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  174. ^ "Saudi Arabia to restrict domestic haj pilgrims amid coronavirus fears". Reuters. 23 June 2020. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  175. ^ a b "Saudi Arabia says hajj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom". Associated Press. 12 June 2021. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  176. ^ a b "Hajj Statistics 1442 (2021)" (PDF). General Authority for Statistics.
  177. ^ a b c "GASTAT: A total of 899,353 pilgrims perform Hajj". Saudi Gazette. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  178. ^ a b c للإحصاء, الهيئة العامة (15 June 2024). "GASTAT: Total number of pilgrims in 1445 H Hajj season is 1,833,164". General Authority for Statistics. Retrieved 31 July 2024.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hajj&oldid=1258654976"