The annual Hajj pilgrimage has officially begun, with nearly two million pilgrims settling in the vast tent city of Mina.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, draws millions of Muslims from around the world every year, fulfilling a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey for those people who could afford them.
The air in Makkah echoes with the powerful chants of Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik as pilgrims commence the sacred journey.
A total of 88,301 Pakistani pilgrims are participating under the government scheme, while another 27,012 are performing Hajj through private operators. Pilgrims from Pakistan have been transported to Mina via buses from residential areas including Aziziyah, Naseem, and Batha Quraish.
After donning the ihram and offering two rakats of prayer, the pilgrims made their intention for Hajj and departed for Mina. On the morning of 9th Dhul-Hijjah, they will proceed to the plains of Arafat for the most significant rite of Hajj – Wuquf-e-Arafat (Standing at Arafat).
Following the Hajj sermon on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims will offer combined Zuhr and Asr prayers and remain at Arafat until sunset.
Without performing Maghrib prayer in Arafat, they will then head to Muzdalifah, where they will combine Maghrib and Isha prayers and spend the night under the open sky.
While in Muzdalifah, pilgrims will collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil. On the morning of 10th Dhul-Hijjah, they will proceed for Ramy al-Jamarat (stoning of the large devil) by throwing seven pebbles. Sacrificial rituals will follow, and male pilgrims will shave their heads (halq) while female pilgrims will trim their hair, signifying the completion of Ihram.
On 11th Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims will stone all three devils – the small, medium, and large – with seven pebbles each. After the Ramy, they will head to the Holy Kaaba for the Tawaf al-Ziyarah (Farewell Tawaf), followed by the Sa’i ritual between Safa and Marwah.
The stoning ritual continues on 12th Dhul-Hijjah, after midday. Pilgrims may choose to return to their accommodations in Makkah on the 12th or extend their stay in Mina to complete the ritual on the 13th Dhul-Hijjah.
Chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (“Here I am, O God, here I am answering Your call”), more than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world gathered in Mina on Wednesday, marking the official beginning of Hajj with the Day of Tarwiyah.
Pilgrims began arriving in the early hours of the day, with the Saudi authorities executing a flawless operational plan to ensure smooth and secure transportation. By Wednesday afternoon, the movement of pilgrims into the vast tent city of Mina was completed successfully. Over 8,000 buses transported worshippers from Makkah to Mina in an atmosphere filled with spirituality and devotion.
This year, more than 1.47 million international pilgrims are participating in the annual pilgrimage, joined by hundreds of thousands of domestic pilgrims. Among them are 2,443 pilgrims from 100 countries, hosted as guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman.
Upon arrival in Makkah on Tuesday, pilgrims performed Tawaf Al-Qudum (the Tawaf of Arrival), one of the essential rites of Hajj, before heading to Mina. The valley reverberated with the pilgrims’ recitation of the Talbiyah, creating an atmosphere of unity and deep religious commitment.
Retracing the noble tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), pilgrims will spend the night in Mina in prayer and reflection, preparing for the pivotal rite of Wuquf (Standing) at Arafat on Thursday—considered the most significant pillar of Hajj.
Saudi authorities, in collaboration with Hajj missions from around the world, have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and deployed 250,000 personnel to manage the pilgrimage. Artificial intelligence and drone technology are being used extensively to monitor crowds and streamline services.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, head of the Council of Senior Scholars, received visitors at his Mina residence on Wednesday and appointed five scholars to issue religious guidance during Hajj. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, urged pilgrims to continue reciting the Talbiyah until they begin the stoning ritual at Jamarat Al-Aqaba on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
Pilgrims have also been urged to pray on time and follow the prescribed format of shortening but not combining prayers, with the exception of Maghrib and Fajr, which should be performed in full.
With temperatures soaring, the Ministry of Health has issued heat advisories, emphasizing hydration, sun protection, and reduced physical exertion during peak sunlight hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Pilgrims have been seen using white umbrellas to protect themselves from the intense sun, as Saudi Arabia implements enhanced heat-mitigation measures following last year’s dangerous heat wave.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, spans five to six days and remains one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world.
