For the benefit of those who have followed this blog within the last year, who are not familiar with the Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj), I’m re-publishing a post I did a few years back – which tells the visual tale of this immense journey that millions embark upon each year.
This year’s Hajj began yesterday (Monday 26th June 2023), peaks today (27th June), and will continue for a few days thereafter.
It’s the world’s biggest annual gathering of humanity, with close on 2.5 million Muslims – from all parts of the world – gathering in Makkah to fulfill this once-in-a-lifetime religious journey.
All visuals were collected from social media years ago, so I don’t have specific credit for each item.
Pilgrims make their way to Mina on the opening morning of Hajj
The roads of Mina
Pilgrims make their way to Mina on the opening morning of Hajj
Pilgrims make their way to Mina on the opening morning of Hajj
Pilgrims make their way to Mina on the opening morning of Hajj
Pilgrims in Mina
Inside a tent on Mina – the main camp site of Hajj
Tents on Mina – the main camp site of Hajj
The prayer pilgrims chant during Hajj
Tents in Mina
Inside a tent on Mina – the main camp site of Hajj
Tents on Mina – the main camp site of Hajj
Mina
Tents line the temporary city of Mina
Inside one of the camps on Mina
Inside one of the camps on Mina
Inside a tent on Mina
Inside a tent on Mina
Inside a tent on Mina
Inside a tent on Mina
Aerial view of Mina
Pilgrims on Mina
Mina
Tents as far as the eye can see on Mina
More tents on Mina
A sandstorm on the first day of Hajj
A lightning storm on the first night of Hajj
A lightning storm on the first night of Hajj
A lightning storm on the first night of Hajj
Strong winds blow the cover off the Kabah on the first night of Hajj
Pilgrims begin the walk to Arafah this morning, for the peak of Hajj
Cloud on Arafah this morning
Muslims come from all over the world for Hajj
Day 2 marks the day of Arafah – the peak of the Hajj. Here are some videos to give you a sense of it:
Visuals from the morning in 2018:
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf explains a little more about Hajj:
Later visuals from the Day of Arafah and that night, when the pilgrims moved to the next stop of Muzdalifah.
Pilgrims head to Arafah this morning
Pilgrims outside the mosque on Arafah
Pilgrims on Mount Arafah
Mount Arafah
A camp on Arafah
The next stop for pilgrims
Pilgrims head to Muzdalifah
Pilgrims sleep wherever they can find space on Muzdalifah
Pilgrims pray at Muzdalifah
Pilgrims sleep on Muzdalifah
Pilgrims sleep on Muzdalifah
Pilgrims on Muzdalifah
Pilgrims on Muzdalifah
Pilgrims on Muzdalifah
Day 3 marks Eid – though it’s a very different experience for pilgrims as compared to Eid back home:
Pilgrims stream back to Mina
Pilgrims stream back to Mina
Pilgrims stream back to Mina
Pilgrims stream back to Mina
Pilgrims stream back to Mina
Pilgrims throw stones at the Jamaraat pillars – representing Satan
Pilgrims shave their head after the stoning
Pilgrims circle the Kabah in Makkah as one of their final acts of Hajj
Pilgrims circle the Kabah in Makkah as one of their final acts of Hajj
Pilgrims walk between the hills of Saffa and Marwah in Makkah as one of their final acts of Hajj
And you can watch live coverage of the Hajj courtesy of several English-language Islamic TV stations:
slip-sliding away..... 