When is Hajj and what is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca about?
When is Hajj and what is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca about?
Every year millions of Muslims make the pilgrimage to the Kaaba, or the 'House of God', in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Over the course of five days, rites of Hajj are performed, in what is considered one of the five pillars of Islam.
Every Muslim is expected to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
But when is Hajj this year and how will coronavirus impact the religious gathering? Here's what you need to know...
When is Hajj 2020?
This year, Hajj begins on Tuesday, July 28, and will end on Sunday, August 2.
Why is it important in Islam?
The event also coincides with Eid al-Adha, which marks Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael on divine orders.
Over a five-day period, various rituals take place, with pilgrims donning special religious garments and performing a counter-clockwise procession around the Kaaba, a cube-shaped building draped in black silk.
In the eastern corner of the Kaaba lies a black stone, which Muslims believe to be the one that angel Gabriel gave to Abraham.
Pilgrims then touch or kiss the stone as part of the ceremony.
How will this year's Hajj be different?
As has been the case with many events and religious festivals, Hajj will be scaled back this year to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia's Hajj Ministry said it will only allow 1,000 people already residing in the kingdom to participate in this year's pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia prepares for scaled-back Hajj amid Covid-19 pandemic
That said, it has been reported that as many 10,000 people could take part.
Guidelines also state that pilgrims must be between the ages of 20-50, and they must be in good health.
Pilgrims from further afield and from different countries will not be permitted to take part in the annual Hajj this year.
Reference: Evening Standard: Emma Clarke 1 day ago
Articles-Latest
- After decades of struggle for a place in Israel, dozens of Black Hebrews face threat of deportation
- Purgatory in the Bible
- Pope’s new ruling on blessings for same-sex couples does not change Catholic teaching - bishop
- Sacred Mysteries: The starwright who bursts forth like the sun
- The Vatican's 'trial of the century,' a Pandora's box of unintended revelations, explained
- The pope says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica, not in the Vatican
- A Black Jesus review – religious rites and refugees collide in Sicilian village
- Recordings show how the Mormon church protects itself from child sex abuse claims
- Pilgrims yearn to visit isolated peninsula where Catholic saints cared for Hawaii's leprosy patients
- In the US, Black survivors are nearly invisible in the Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis
- Pope Francis cancels Cop28 trip to Dubai due to ill health
- A French bishop is accused of attempted rape in latest scandal to hit Catholic Church in France
- Dalai Lama apologises for asking child to suck his tongue
- Vatican on trial in UK for first time in history as British banker looks to clear his name
- Hermaphrodites Gynomorphs and Jesus-The Importance of Demons
- Hermaphrodites Gynomorphs and Jesus
- Pope updates Catholic Church rules for dealing with sexual abuse
- Pope Francis hints at end of 1,000-year-old celibacy rule after calling ban 'temporary'
- Who is responsible for the hatred against Jews in Barcelona? - Opinion
- Satanic Temple opens online abortion clinic named after Samuel Alito’s mother
Articles-Most Read
- Home
- Let There Be Light
- Plants that feel and Speak
- The Singing Forest
- The Singing Forest-2
- Introduction
- Meditation
- Using Essential Oils for Spiritual Connection
- Heaven Scent
- Purification
- Plants that Feel and Speak-2
- Making the Spiritual Connection
- Anointing
- The Sanctity of Plants
- Essential Oils: The unseen Energies
- The Aroma Of Worship - Introduction
- The Aroma Of Worship-Foreward
- Methods Of Use
- Handling and Storage
- Spiritual Blending