Over 250,000 pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj

More than 250,000 pilgrims from 160 countries have reached Saudi Arabia, as of now, to perform Hajj this year, the Kindgdom's news agency reported on Tuesday.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported the data shared by the Department of Passport and Immigration "Jawazat".

Saudi Arabia's Department of Legal Affairs said that the total number of pilgrims, who arrived in Saudi Arabia till May 19, 2024, has reached 267,657.

The Islamic lunar calendar ends with Zil Hajj, the month when Muslims from around the world visit Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj in Makkah's Grand Mosque and other locations in the city including Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims with the means.

The Hajj begins with the "tawaf" — the circumambulation of the Kaaba that Muslims around the world pray towards every day.

A series of rites are completed over four days in Makkah and its surroundings in the west of oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

According to weather experts, there are high chances of the Zil Hajj crescent being sighted on June 8 in Pakistan.

The astronomers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that the Day of Arafat, the ninth day of Hajj, will fall on June 16. The Gulf country is expected to mark Eid-ul-Adha on June 17.

On the other hand, the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) in Egypt has predicted the possible day of the holy festival on June 16.