Main Hajj rituals begin as pilgrims arrive in Mina

The main rituals of the holy Hajj officially began on Monday as millions of pilgrims gathered in Mina on the 8th of Zilhajj, marking the start of the annual five-day pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Pilgrims began travelling to Mina from Makkah on Sunday night (May 24), where they will spend the day and perform five daily prayers, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The stay in Mina marks the formal beginning of Hajj activities.

On Tuesday, the 9th of Zilhajj, pilgrims will proceed to the historic plain of Arafat to perform Wuquf, the central and most important pillar of Hajj.

Islamic teachings describe the standing at Arafat as the essence of the pilgrimage.

Before departing for Mina, pilgrims entered into the sacred state of Ihram from their hotels, Masjid al-Haram, or designated Miqat points. Throughout their stay in Mina — widely known as the “City of Tents” — pilgrims remain engaged in prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran, remembrance of Allah, and the continuous chanting of the Talbiyah: “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik.”

After sunset on the Day of Arafat, pilgrims will travel to Muzdalifah, where they will spend the night under the open sky and collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning ritual at Jamarat.

On the 10th of Zilhajj, pilgrims will return to Mina to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil, followed by animal sacrifice and head shaving or hair trimming, completing another major stage of Hajj rituals. The remaining rites, including additional stoning rituals and the farewell Tawaf, will continue through the 11th and 12th of Zilhajj.

According to Saudi authorities, between 1.6 and 2 million Muslims from around the world are participating in this year’s Hajj, including more than 78,000 pilgrims from Bangladesh.

Saudi authorities have taken extensive measures to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage, while Bangladesh’s Hajj Mission in Makkah continues to provide round-the-clock support for Bangladeshi pilgrims throughout the sacred journey.