More than a million pilgrims prepare for start of Hajj on 4 June
South African pilgrims are in high spirits.
Muslims are encouraged to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it. Photo: iStock
With just a week left before the annual Hajj in Makkah in Saudi Arabia, 2 500 South African pilgrims will be among more than one million people from across the globe who will be performing the rituals.
At a news conference on Monday, Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said more than one million pilgrims from around the world had already arrived in the country.
Millions on Hajj
According to Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Passports, a total of 1 102 469 pilgrims passed through the kingdom's air, land, and sea entry ports on Monday.
The directorate reported that 1 044 341 pilgrims arrived through airports, 53 850 via land border crossings, and 4 278 through seaports.
South African Hajj and Umrah Council president Moaaz Casoo said South African pilgrims are in high spirits.
'Final preparations are underway for the South African Camo in Mina for Hajj 1446AH/2025. We make dua (pray) that everything will be in order In Shaa Allah (God Willing) when the pilgrims arrive on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah (4 June).
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Naledi Pandor's son talks about his first Hajj
Preparations
Saudi Arabia said it has completed elaborate preparations for a hassle-free pilgrimage featuring a seamless pilgrim experience and digital integration.
Saudi authorities stated that their efforts reflect the kingdom's leadership's directives and align with Saudi Vision 2030's goals to facilitate Hajj rituals, thereby enhancing the quality of services to enable pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.
Saudi Arabia announced that the annual Hajj pilgrimage will begin on 4 June after observatories confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the kingdom's Supreme Court in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings on earth and is one of the five pillars of Islam.
The pilgrimage occurs annually between the 8th and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah (4–9 June 2025), the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The Hajj must be undertaken by all Muslims who have the means at least once in their lifetime.
ALSO READ: Deaths of SA pilgrims during Hajj in Saudi Arabia not related to heatwave
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