Millions of Muslims will travel to Mecca for Hajj 2023. It is a sacred pilgrimage that involves rituals of worship and sacrifice. It is a source of blessings and forgiveness from God.

Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam and a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it. It is a journey of faith, devotion and purification that brings millions of Muslims from different countries and backgrounds together in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

What is Hajj and when is Hajj 2023?

Hajj 2023 will take place from June 26 to July 1, according to the Islamic lunar calendar, which shifts 10-12 days earlier each year. The exact dates are contingent on the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic year.

Hajj re-enacts the actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his farewell pilgrimage in 632 AD, as well as the footsteps of Prophets Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them), who are revered by Muslims as the founders of the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure that is the focal point of worship for Muslims around the world.

What are the rituals of Hajj and what do they mean?

The Kaaba is located inside the Grand Mosque of Mecca, which is also known as Masjid al-Haram. The Kaaba is elegantly draped in black silk with verses of the Quran woven into it with gold and silver threads. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times in a ritual called tawaf, which symbolizes their spiritual closeness to God.

Another ritual of Hajj is sai, which involves walking or running seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwa, located near the Kaaba. This commemorates the actions of Hajar, the wife of Prophet Abraham, who searched for water for her son Ishmael in the desert. God rewarded her faith and patience by creating a spring of water called Zamzam, which still flows today and is considered sacred by Muslims.

On the first day of Hajj, pilgrims enter a state of ihram, which means consecration or sanctity. They wear simple white garments that signify humility and equality before God. Men wear two pieces of unstitched cloth, while women wear any plain clothing that covers their body except their face and hands. Pilgrims also abstain from certain actions such as cutting their hair or nails, wearing perfume, hunting or engaging in sexual relations.

Pilgrims then leave Mecca and head to Mina, a valley about 8 km away, where they spend the night in tents. The next day, they proceed to Arafat, a plain about 20 km from Mecca, where they spend the day in prayer and supplication. This is considered the climax of Hajj, as it is believed that God forgives the sins of those who sincerely repent on this day. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his last sermon on this plain.

After sunset, pilgrims move to Muzdalifah, an area between Arafat and Mina, where they collect pebbles for the next ritual. They also pray and spend the night under the open sky. On the third day of Hajj, pilgrims return to Mina and throw seven pebbles at a stone pillar that represents Satan. This ritual, called stoning or rami, symbolizes their rejection of evil and temptation.

The third day of Hajj also marks the celebration of Eid al-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice. This commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience to God’s command. God intervened and provided a ram instead. Pilgrims sacrifice an animal such as a sheep or a goat and distribute its meat to the poor and needy. They also cut their hair or shave their heads as a sign of completing their Hajj.

Pilgrims then return to Mecca and perform another tawaf around the Kaaba. This is called tawaf al-ifadah or tawaf al-ziyarah. They also perform another sai between Safa and Marwa. These rituals complete the main rites of Hajj.

However, pilgrims still have to spend two or three more days in Mina and repeat the stoning ritual at three stone pillars that represent Satan’s temptations. They also have to perform a final tawaf around the Kaaba before leaving Mecca. This is called tawaf al-wada or farewell tawaf.

How is the security of Hajj 2023 ensured?

The security of Hajj 2023 is a top priority for the Saudi authorities, who have completed their preparations for the pilgrimage season. The Ministry of Interior held a press conference on June 23 to highlight the security, traffic and organizational plans for Hajj 2023, which will host pre-pandemic numbers of pilgrims.

The security forces include the Public Security, the Special Emergency Forces, the Civil Defense Forces and the Passports Forces, who will work together to maintain security and order in Mecca, Medina and the holy sites. They will also monitor and manage the movement of crowds and vehicles, prevent violators of Hajj regulations from entering the holy sites, and coordinate efforts to address any emergencies.

The security forces will also apply the preventive and safety measures to protect the pilgrims from the coronavirus pandemic, such as checking their health status, ensuring their vaccination, and enforcing social distancing and mask wearing. The security forces will also use advanced technologies such as drones, cameras and smart systems to enhance their performance and efficiency.

How are Yemenis participating in Hajj 2023?

Hajj 2023 is a special occasion for many Yemenis, who have been suffering from the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in their country. Despite the challenges and difficulties, thousands of Yemenis have expressed their desire to perform the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca this year.

To facilitate their journey and ensure their safety and security, the Saudi government has launched an initiative to enable the arrival of Yemeni pilgrims from Sanaa International Airport to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. This is in addition to other land and air border crossings with Yemen. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that this initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s keenness to support the brotherly Yemeni people and help them realize their hopes and aspirations for peace, development and prosperity.

The Yemeni pilgrims will join millions of Muslims from different countries and backgrounds in a journey of faith, devotion and purification.