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
- Using Vibrational Aromatherapy In Treatment
- The BI-Gendered God-She-male Gods & The Roots of Christianity
- Geometry and Myth-She-Male Gods & the Roots of Christianity
- Muslim Council Demands Investigation Into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party
- What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Well, for starters, Jesus wasn’t a homophobe
- King Charles attends Easter service, providing a glimpse of the monarch after cancer diagnosis
- We must stand up to religious extremism in the UK before it tears us apart,’ writes Frederick Chedam
- Trump compares himself to Jesus Christ – again
- Pope makes last-minute decision not to deliver Palm Sunday Mass homily
- New York City's mayor gets baptized in jail by Rev. Al Sharpton on Good Friday
- Pope Francis calls predecessor Benedict a key transitional figure
- Lawyers hit out at Vatican’s ‘trial of the century’ after Pope secretly changes law four times
- What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samatha Woll
- Sodomy and theology: the feverish birth of the King James Bible
- Africa's Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God's will
- 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
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
- Plants that Feel and Speak-2
- Purification
- 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
- Spiritual Blending
- Handling and Storage