Saudi Arabia has announced that the hajj will start on June 14. This decision came after astronomical observatories spotted the crescent moon on Thursday evening, marking the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, which every Muslim with the means must undertake at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage involves a series of rituals performed over at least four days in Mecca and its surrounding areas in western Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrimage reaches its peak on the second day when pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat for prayers. This is where the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon. This year, the gathering on Mount Arafat will occur on June 15, and the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha will be on June 16. Saudi Arabia, which hosts the holiest shrines in Islam at Mecca and Medina, earns billions of dollars annually from the hajj and from the umrah pilgrimages that occur at other times of the year.
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The hajj is a significant source of prestige for the Saudi monarch, who holds the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" in Mecca and Medina. Last year, over 1.8 million Muslims participated in the hajj. This year, about 1.2 million pilgrims from various countries have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, according to Tawfiq al-Rabiah, the Saudi hajj and umrah minister. The hajj pilgrimage remains a vital religious duty and a significant event for Muslims worldwide.
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