Hajj date 2024:June 14
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced that the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah was sighted on Thursday evening, June 6. As a result, Friday, June 7, marks the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. Following the sighting by astronomical observatories, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) stated, “The Supreme Court determined that Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, would begin on Friday.”
Consequently, the authorities confirmed that the Hajj pilgrimage would commence on June 14.
What is Hajj?
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims with the necessary means must undertake this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage involves a series of rituals and practices over at least four days in Mecca and its surrounding areas in western Saudi Arabia. The high point is on the second day, which will be June 15 this year, when pilgrims gather for prayers on Mount Arafat, where Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.
During a press conference on Thursday, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister, Tawfiq al-Rabiah, reported that approximately 1.2 million pilgrims from various countries had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj, according to AP. In 2023, official figures indicated that over 1.8 million Muslims undertook the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia, which hosts Islam’s shrines in Mecca and Medina, earns billions of dollars annually from Hajj and the Umrah, which is performed at other times of the year.
When is Eid al-Adha?
The Saudi Press Agency also announced that Eid al-Adha will be on June 16 this year. The Saudi Supreme Court stated, “Arafat Day falls on Saturday, June 15, while Sunday, June 16, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha.”
While most Gulf countries follow Saudi Arabia’s announcements for Eid al-Adha, Oman declared that the crescent moon was not sighted on Thursday. Therefore, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated in Oman on Monday, June 17.
