The Hajj is a pivotal Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that takes place every year. It’s a mandatory religious duty for capable Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime ¹. The pilgrimage is associated with the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and commemorates the events of Abraham.

During Hajj, millions of Muslims from around the world converge on Mecca to perform a series of rituals. These rituals include:

– *Ihram*: Wearing simple, unstitched white clothing to symbolize unity and equality
– *Tawaf*: Circling the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, seven times
– *Sa’y*: Running or walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah
– *Arafah*: Standing in contemplative vigil on the plain of Arafat
– *Stoning of the Devil*: Throwing stones at three pillars representing Satan
– *Eid al-Adha*: Celebrating the sacrifice of Abraham with animal sacrifice and charity

As for the number of participants, the average annual attendance is around 2.2 million, with 1.5 million coming from outside Saudi Arabia and 671,983 being local ¹. The highest number of participants recorded was 3.1 million in 2012 ¹.

The Hajj is an extraordinary display of Muslim brotherhood and solidarity, and its significance extends beyond the rituals themselves to represent a journey of spiritual growth and self-reflection.