📷 Image Credits: Al Jazeera English
Hajj, the largest annual Muslim gathering, occurs in Mecca from the eighth to the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. This year, based on the moon sighting, Hajj will start on June 14, with Eid al-Adha being celebrated on June 16. Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it, intended to cleanse them of sin and take them closer to God.
Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, coinciding with the third day of Hajj and lasts for three days. This year, it falls on June 16. Eid al-Adha is the second major Muslim festival after Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
On the first day of Eid al-Adha, Muslims who can afford sacrifice an animal and distribute a set percentage of its meat to those less fortunate. This is done in symbolic remembrance of the Prophet Ibrahim, who, as per Islamic faith, was asked to sacrifice his son Ismail by God.
Muslim pilgrims from all over the world arrive in Mecca in a purified state of ihram and set their intention to perform Hajj. The state of ihram is a symbol of humility and spiritual focus and serves to unify pilgrims from different backgrounds.
In 2023, some 1.85 million Muslims performed the annual pilgrimage. Nearly 90 percent of pilgrims came from abroad, with Asian countries contributing the highest number of pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed the dates for Eid Al-Adha, with the Day of Arafat falling on June 15 and Eid Al-Adha on June 16. The Day of Arafat marks the pinnacle of Hajj, involving pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca and circumambulating the Kaaba. The holiday is a major festival for Muslims worldwide, involving prayer and the sacrifice of livestock.
As we enter into the sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims prepare for the rituals of Hajj and the celebrations of Eid al-Adha, marking a time of spiritual reflection, unity, and devotion. The upcoming days hold profound significance for the Muslim community, as they embark on this journey of faith and sacrifice.
