Hajj Explained for Non-Muslims

Hajj is one of the most important religious events in the world, with more than 2 million Muslims visiting Mecca every year, the largest annual gathering of people in the world. Every adult follower of Islam is required to go at least once in their life, as long as they’re physically and financially able to. It’s not uncommon for families or even entire villages to save up and send one of their members to Mecca. The pilgrimage occurs from 8–12 of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

Religiously, it is associated with the life of Islam’s Holy Prophet Muhammad, who was born in Mecca and lived in the nearby Medina until his victorious return. Hajj, however, predates Islam according to the Quran, with people making pilgrimage to the region as far back as the time of Abraham. According to Islam’s holy text, the Mecca was where Abraham’s son Ishmael scratched the earth and let water spew from the ground. God ordered Abraham to build upon the site the Kaaba, whose cornerstone is the Black Stone, a holy relic which dates back to Adam and Eve and serves as the center of the Grand Mosque.

The pilgrimage is reserved for Muslims only. Every year, the Saudi Arabian government undergoes an intense preparation for the event, requiring people to obtain a visa, vaccinations and sometimes evidence they’re Muslim with a letter from the local mosque. For non-Muslims, there are a number of resources that give you a glimpse inside the Grand Mosque.