Over a million Muslims begin Hajj pilgrimage 

Makkah (Web Desk): Over a million Muslims from across the world have converged in the holy city of Makkah for Hajj 2025, the sacred pilgrimage and one of the five pillars of Islam.

From Wednesday, June 4, through Sunday, June 8, the faithful will perform a series of profound religious rites, including Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina.

This deeply spiritual journey unites believers in acts of worship and devotion, reaffirming their submission to Allah.

Pilgrims are set to depart from Makkah to Mina today before noon, where they will stay until Thursday morning and remain engaged in worship.

Today, pilgrims will wear the Ihram at their residences, offer two Nawafil (voluntary) prayers, and then proceed toward Mina. In Mina, they will perform the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers today.

9th Zil Hajj– Day of Arafah

On Thursday, the 9th of Zil Hajj, all pilgrims will proceed to the plain of Arafat to perform the most important ritual of Hajj — Wuquf-e-Arafah (Standing at Arafat). After listening to the Hajj sermon, pilgrims will offer combined Zil Hajj and Asr prayers and remain at Arafat until sunset.

Night at Muzdalifah

After sunset, pilgrims will head to Muzdalifah without offering Maghrib prayer in Arafat. Upon reaching Muzdalifah, they will combine and offer Maghrib and Isha prayers. Pilgrims will spend the night under the open sky and collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil.

10th Zil Hajj – Sacrifice, head shaving (male), hair trimming (female) and completion of Ihram

On the 10th of Zil Hajj, pilgrims will return from Muzdalifah to Mina. They will perform Rami (stoning) by throwing seven pebbles at the largest pillar (Jamrah al-Aqaba), offer a sacrificial animal, and then shave or trim their hair, marking the end of the state of Ihram.

11th and 12th Zil Hajj– Stoning and Tawaf al-Ziyarah

On the 11th of Zil Hajj, pilgrims will throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars (small, medium, and large). Afterwards, they will proceed to Masjid al-Haram in Makkah for Tawaf al-Ziyarah (Farewell Circumambulation) and perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
On the 12th of Zil Hajj, after noon, pilgrims will again perform Rami at all three Jamarat.

13th Zil Hajj– Completion of Hajj

Makkah: Millions of Muslim from around the world begin Hajj 2025 rituals today
Pilgrims who stay in Mina on the 13th of Zil Hajj will perform the stoning ritual again and then depart Mina, completing the rituals of Hajj.

Facilities for Pakistani Pilgrims

According to a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of 952 buses have been provided for Pakistani pilgrims — 442 from a government-affiliated Saudi company and 510 from the private sector.

The ministry added stated that 25,861 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to the holy sites (Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah) by bus, while 62,000 will travel via train.

On Thursday, Pakistani pilgrims will also be able to access the Grand Mosque via a 4-kilometer pedestrian route or the Saudi shuttle service.

It is worth mentioning that in 2024, approximately 1.8 million pilgrims from across the world undertook this blessed journey, reflecting the enduring significance and global unity fostered by Hajj.