The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. It can be traced back to the time of the Prophet Abraham by Muslims.
It is one of the five pillars of Islam which every Muslim is required to complete at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.
The annual pilgrimage to the holiest city for Muslims takes place during Dhu Al Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Each year, millions of Muslims travel to Makkah to perform Hajj.
Official figures
In 2019, 2.5 million pilgrims attended Hajj with the Saudi government allocating a set number of permits for each country to avoid overcrowding.
How to prepare for Hajj
Firstly, pilgrims perform ablution at Miqat, then declare their intention for Hajj.
They must refrain from all prohibited activities like using perfumes, shaving, sexual relations, cutting nails, and slaughtering animals during Hajj, which is known as "a state of Ihram".
They are also required to adhere to a certain dress code.
Hajj rituals
The main rituals of the Hajj will be done in Arafat today as the pilgrims moved towards the place after staying the night in Mina. Waqoof (stay) in Arafat is performed from Zuhar to sunset on the 9th of Zil-Hajj of the Islamic year.
After sunset, the pilgrims will leave for nearby Muzdalifah where they will gather pebbles to perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil” marking the end of their holy pilgrimage.
Hajj 2020 amid Coronavirus concerns
This year only up to 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will participate in the ritual, due to COVID-19, according to France 24.
Around 70 percent of pilgrims are foreign nationals residing in the kingdom and 30 percent are locals.
The Pilgrims will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing during hajj rites that is performed over five days in the holy city of Mecca and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia.
Those selected to take part in the hajj were subject to temperature checks and placed in quarantine as they began heading to Mecca at the weekend.
State media showed health workers sanitizing their luggage, and some pilgrims reported being given electronic wristbands to allow authorities to monitor their whereabouts.
Workers, clutching brooms, and disinfectant, were seen cleaning the area around the Kaaba, the structure at the center of the Grand Mosque draped in gold-embroidered cloth towards which Muslims around the world pray.
Hajj authorities have cordoned off the Kaaba this year, saying pilgrims will not be allowed to touch it, to limit the chances of infection.
They also reported setting up multiple health facilities, mobile clinics, and ambulances to meet the pilgrims' needs.
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