Hajj 2024
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, represents the pinnacle of spiritual journey for Muslims worldwide. Every year, millions of pilgrims from diverse backgrounds gather in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform rituals dating back to the time of Prophet Abraham. Clad in simple white garments, pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, symbolizing unity and equality before God. They engage in prayers, seek forgiveness, and reflect on their faith amidst the vast assembly of believers. Hajj not only fulfills a religious obligation but fosters a profound sense of community, solidarity, and devotion among Muslims, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.
How many
people have been gone to Saudi Arab to perform Hajj in 2024?
More than 1.83 million Muslims performed Hajj in 2024, Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah said in a briefing. That's slightly less than last year's figures when 1.84 million made the rituals.
What will do
Saudi Arab for Haji who arrived and perform Hajj?
Saudi Arabia
takes extensive measures to accommodate and support Hajj pilgrims who arrive to
perform the pilgrimage. Upon arrival, pilgrims are provided with various
services to ensure their comfort and safety. These services include:
1.
Accommodation: Saudi Arabia provides temporary housing in tents or buildings
specifically designated for pilgrims in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah during the
different stages of Hajj.
2.
Transportation: Pilgrims are transported between the holy sites and back to their
accommodations via buses, trains, or on foot, depending on the distance and the
stage of Hajj.
3.
Healthcare: Medical facilities and personnel are stationed throughout the
pilgrimage routes and at the holy sites to provide medical assistance if
needed.
4.
Security: Saudi authorities deploy extensive security measures to ensure
the safety of pilgrims and to manage crowd control effectively.
5.
Logistics: They also manage logistics such as providing water, food, and
other necessities to pilgrims during their stay.
Additionally,
Saudi Arabia continuously invests in infrastructure improvements and technology
to enhance the experience and safety of pilgrims during Hajj. These efforts
underline the country's commitment to facilitating one of the largest annual
gatherings of people in the world with care and respect for religious
significance.
Saudi Arabia
typically categorizes Hajj pilgrims into different groups based on their
nationality and the type of Hajj they are performing. The categories generally
include:
- Residents of
Saudi Arabia (Local Hajj): This category includes Saudi citizens
and residents who perform Hajj without needing to travel internationally.
- Non-Saudi
Residents (International Hajj): These are pilgrims residing in countries
outside Saudi Arabia who travel to the kingdom specifically to perform
Hajj.
- Government-Sponsored
Hajj:
Some countries organize and sponsor Hajj trips for their citizens. These
pilgrims are typically part of organized groups facilitated by their
respective governments.
- Private Hajj
Packages:
Many pilgrims arrange their Hajj through private tour operators or travel
agencies, which provide comprehensive packages including accommodation,
transportation, and guidance throughout the pilgrimage.
Each category may
have different logistical arrangements and services provided by Saudi
authorities and private entities to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling
Hajj experience for all pilgrims.
How many flights have been arrived in Saudi Arab to perform Hajj in 2024?
With just over a month to go until the start of the pilgrimage, the first Hajj flights arrived from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Africa. A total of 7,700 flights are expected to arrive at six airports in the Kingdom during this year’s Hajj season.
When the first
flight was arrived in Saudi Arab to perform Hajj in 2024?
Pakistan’s Hajj pilgrimage for 2024 kicks off with the first
flights departing on 9 May. The schedule, spanning 74 days until 9 June, will
see over 68,000 pilgrims transported by 259 flights operated by various
airlines.
Current update in Hajj 2024
This year, Hajj is taking place between 14th June to the 19th June 2024 in the Gregorian Calendar. The Islamic calendar operates on the lunar cycle, which is why it appears to shift forward approximately 11-12 days each year as it corresponds to the Gregorian calendar.
What is
the future strategy about Hajj by the Saudi Government?
It indicated the need to raise the capacity of the Holy Sites,
especially Mina and the circumambulation court, as they are currently
insufficient to accommodate the target numbers to achieve Vision 2030, which
envisions an annual 5 million pilgrims and 30 million Umrah performers by 2030.