Muslims are making their way to the holy destination of Mecca for one of the most important traditions of the Islamic calendar – Hajj.
Almost two million Muslims are expected to converge on the site this year as part of the holy pilgrimage.
It is a journey which can cost more than £5,000 for those travelling from the UK.
But the pilgrimage to the Saudi Arabian city is viewed as mandatory for all Muslim adults, who are physically and financially able, at least once in their lifetime.
We take a look at why and when the key dates are for 2025.
Muslim pilgrims from around the world praying around the Kaabah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during Hajj (Photo: Sony Herdiana/Getty)What is the meaning of Hajj?
Hajj is a pilgrimage to Kaaba, the “house of Allah” in Mecca, and is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Muslims believe Hajj is a direct commandment from Allah, offering a chance to wipe clean the sins of the past and start anew.
It is seen as a test of patience and temperament and can be spiritually, emotionally and physically challenging
The tradition dates back to the Prophet Ibrahim, according to the Quran, but is also linked to the Prophet Muhammad, who is believed to have established a series of rituals which are part of the pilgrimage.
These include:
wearing a single piece of unstitched white clothing walking counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba walking briskly back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times drinking from the Zamzam well undertaking a vigil at Mount Arafat spending a night under the open sky at Muzdalifa performing a symbolic stoning of the devil sacrificing an animalCompleting these rituals and the pilgrimage is seen as a way of strengthening a person’s faith.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage will begin on Wednesday 4 June and end on Monday 9 June.
The date of Hajj is determined by the Islamic calendar, which in turn is reliant on the lunar year.
Each year the pilgrimage occurs between the eighth and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Saudi Arabia announced last week Hajj would begin on 4 June, after observatories confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon.
At that stage, Saudi Arabia’s Hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said more than one million pilgrims from around the world had already arrived in the country.
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June are the first and second days of Hajj, Friday 6 June is the first day of Eid al-Adha and the weekend of 7 and 8 June are the second and third days of Eid al-Adha.
Muslims gather at the top of the mountain during the Day of Arafat as part of the rites of the Hajj, near Mecca (Photo: Omar Chatriwala/Getty)What does ‘Hajj mubarak’ mean?
“Hajj mubarak” translates as “Happy Hajj” or “Blessed Hajj”.
It is often said to wish pilgrims a blessed and accepted Hajj and a safe journey.
It can also be used on their return, after completing the pilgrimage as a congratulatory phrase.
You can also use the phrase “Hajj Mabrur” on a pilgrim’s return, which translates as “accepted Hajj”. It means you hope the person’s pilgrimage has been successful.
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