The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, officially began on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, with authorities expecting more than a million participants. This pilgrimage is a religious obligation for all physically and financially capable Muslims to undertake at least once in their lifetime. According to NDTV, approximately 1.4 million pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrimage occurs annually between the 8th and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The initial rituals involve pilgrims entering a state of Ihram, a sacred state of purity marked by wearing simple white garments and abstaining from certain actions. This is followed by the Tawaf, which consists of circling the Kaaba — Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca — seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. Pilgrims then perform Sa’i, walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa.
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Navigating the rituals of the pilgrimage
Following these initial rites, worshippers proceed to Mina, a vast tented city a few kilometres east of Mecca, where they spend the day and night in prayer and reflection. The climax of the Hajj is anticipated on Thursday, June 5, the Day of Arafat. On this day, pilgrims will gather on and around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy), the site where the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon. They will spend the day in solemn prayer and supplication, a ritual known as ‘wuquf’.
The subsequent rituals include proceeding to Muzdalifah after sunset on the Day of Arafat to collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil (Ramy al-Jamarat) back in Mina. This will be followed by Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, on June 7, which involves animal sacrifice, another Tawaf around the Kaaba (Tawaf al-Ifadah), and a final farewell Tawaf before departing Mecca.
In Mina, pilgrims are contending with significant heat. Masud Dasoo, a Roshnee resident interviewed by Salaamedia on Wednesday, described the conditions: “It is very hot and they advise us not to go out between 10 o’ clock in the morning and four o’ clock in the afternoon. Even if you’re in the tent, the aircon and the blowers are on, but you still get the heat from the sunlight and the roof of the tent … Most of the guys are just hydrating a lot.”
Saudi authorities have implemented measures to mitigate the effects of high temperatures, particularly after last year’s Hajj saw temperatures soar to 51.8 degrees Celsius, contributing to a significant number of fatalities.
Nadia Mahomed, also speaking to Salaamedia from Mina, shared her experience, emphasising the spiritual fortitude required: “Alhamdulillah, it’s been good. Obviously, you have to make a lot of sabr (patience). They all tell you when you leave for hajj you must take a thousand bags of sabr with; I think you’ve got to multiply that by 10 billion.” She also praised the support services, stating, “Khidmatul Awaam has been absolutely brilliant. They really have gone above and beyond to see to everything for the hujjaaj, from the meals to keeping the bathrooms clean. Everything has just been excellent.”
Ahead of the 2025 season, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued stern warnings against fraudulent Hajj visas and unauthorised travel agents. Pilgrims have been urged to book exclusively through the official Nusuk platform. The Ministry of Interior also announced significant fines, up to SAR 100 000 (approximately R474 000), for individuals found assisting or sheltering those with invalid visas during the Hajj period, as reported by Al Arabiya. This underscores the importance of adhering to official channels for this significant pilgrimage.
