Saudi Arabia issues pre-Hajj guidance: Know the rituals before arrival

Cairo: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj has urged Muslims preparing to head to the kingdom to undertake the annual Hajj pilgrimage to learn before arrival how the multiple rites of the Islamic duty are performed perfectly.  

Hundreds of thousands from around the world annually converge on Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, one of Islam’s five obligatory duties, in several places in and around the holy city of Mecca.

The ministry said that while preparing for the Hajj journey, pilgrims should fully understand the rituals to perform them well.

"Pilgrims should inquire about the pillars and obligations of Hajj, the Sunnahs (prophetic traditions) and prohibitions, and learn the correct way for performing each ritual and its relevant rules as well as the holy sites and their associated matters," the ministry added on its X account.

The ministry guided the pilgrims in different languages to detailed information about the Hajj. The English-language link to the guide is: https://learn.haj.gov.sa/home/tracks/details/15787

Muslims, who are physically and financially able to take the journey, must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.

Hajj annually starts on the eighth day of Dhul Hijah, the 12th month in the Islamic lunar calendar, and usually takes five days.

Preparations are in full swing in Saudi Arabia, Islam's birthday, to organize the Hajj congregation due this year in early June.

Authorities there have put in place strict measures to keep irregular pilgrims at bay and deny them access to Mecca and other holy places.