Hajj begins today

The holy Hajj has begun today, as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims reaching its spiritual peak, gather at the Arafat Maidan, marking the most important day of the five-day pilgrimage.

Wearing the traditional white Ihram, pilgrims filled the tents of Mina on Wednesday, spending the day in prayer, Talbiyah, and reflection. Early this morning, after Fajr prayers, they began their journey to Arafat, about 14 kilometers from Mina, where they will spend the day in supplication, worship, and listening to the Hajj sermon.

The declaration of faith—“Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, La Sharika Laka Labbaik…”—echoes across Arafat as pilgrims fulfill what is considered the most essential pillar of Hajj. According to Islamic tradition, standing at Arafat is mandatory; Hajj is incomplete without it.

The rituals began on Tuesday evening (7 Zilhajj, local Saudi time), when pilgrims began their journey from Makkah to Mina, around 9 kilometers away. Following the Sunnah, they arrived before the Zuhr prayer on 8 Zilhajj and spent the night in Mina, engaging in prayer, Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and Talbiyah.

Pilgrims will remain in Arafat until sunset today before heading to Muzdalifah for the next phase of the pilgrimage. The Hajj will continue through 12 Zilhajj, with rituals including stone-throwing at Jamarat, animal sacrifice, Tawaf, and Sa’i.

This year, 87,157 Bangladeshi pilgrims have traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. They arrived on 224 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas between April 29 and May 31. Return flights are scheduled to begin on June 10 and will continue until July 10.