Hajj Dates In 2024 and Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

When is Hajj and what are the important 2024 Hajj dates?

The 2024 Hajj is fast approaching, and preparations are underway to make sure the annual pilgrimage runs smoothly. Saudi authorities have introduced new developments on the transportation front and enhancements were made to Nusuk, the one-stop-shop platform for pilgrims all over the world. Over 1.8 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2023 for Hajj, and the Saudi government has licensed 1,860 buildings to serve as accommodation for around 1.2 million pilgrims. With all these updates, it’s important to wrap up plans as Hajj season looms ahead. Read on to learn more.

2024 Hajj dates

The beginning of this year’s Hajj season falls on June 14, Friday, with the end falling on June 19, Wednesday. The Saudi government is expecting millions of pilgrims once again to arrive for their Hajj journey starting on May 9th.

How Hajj dates are determined

How exactly are the Hajj dates determined each year, and why do the dates shift?

Hajj dates are identified annually based on the Islamic lunar calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar. It’s an Arabic calendar that is made up of 12 lunar months (Muḥarram, Ṣafar, Rabīʿ al-Awwal, Rabīʿ al-Thānī, Jumādā al-Awwal, Jumādā al-Thānī, Rajab, Shaʿbān, Ramaḍān, Shawwāl, Dhū al-Qaʿdah, and Dhū al-Ḥijjah) in a year of 354 or 355 days.

The key difference between the Hijri and the Gregorian calendar—which is used by other parts of the world—is that the Hijri calendar is based on the moon while the Gregorian calendar is based on the sun. A new moon signals the beginning of each Hijri month, while a crescent moon indicates the end of the month.

Hajj typically takes place from the 8th to the 12th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the year. This is why Hajj dates tend to differ slightly every year as it depends on the sighting of the moon, as well as the lunar calendar. Traditionally, there are Muslim authorities dedicated to observing the night sky to spot the crescent moon and mark the end of the month.

Once the Hajj dates are announced, Saudi authorities and pilgrims across the globe start to prepare to travel to Mecca to perform sacred rites.

Booking your Hajj trip

Apart from knowing the Hajj dates for the year’s pilgrimage, it’s also important to carefully plan your trip, starting with the registration for Hajj and obtaining a Hajj visa.

Muslim pilgrims must first register for Hajj before obtaining a Hajj visa. They must then obtain a Hajj visa through authorized service providers such as travel agencies. These agencies make it easier and convenient for pilgrims around the world to not just acquire a Hajj visa, but also arrange for their accommodation and transport while in Mecca for Hajj. Note that for 2024, the issuance of Hajj visas ends on April 29th.

While pilgrims may perform Umrah with a Saudi tourist visa, they may not perform Hajj. Only those with a Hajj may be accepted to do the Hajj pilgrimage.

Travel packages are available to meet pilgrims’ varying budgets and preferences. The cost will vary depending on the type of accommodation chosen, whether the pilgrim has a solo room or is sharing one with other pilgrims, as well as the accommodation’s proximity to Masjid-Al-Haram, which camp you choose in Mina, as well as how you will be moving between cities.

Preparing for Hajj for the first time

Financial, physical, and spiritual preparation is key for Hajj. Make sure to save up as it can be expensive to go on the pilgrimage. For some people, they may need to set aside money regularly for several years before they can accumulate enough funds for the pilgrimage. The rituals may also be physically challenging even if you are active and fit, so practice regular light exercises such as walking for at least 30 minutes each day to build your stamina.

For your spiritual preparedness, practice your Sunna, do your Athkar, and recite the Qurʾān more often. Make sure to also prepare your supplications and invocations for your dua. Look into yourself and ask yourself what you would wish to seek from Allah.

Things to pack in your bags

It’s important to bring along the following items to avoid any inconveniences while doing Hajj:

1. Ihram. For the men, multiple sets of the ihram
2. Medication (maintenance medicines and travel medicines)
3. Toiletries (for grooming and personal hygiene after exiting the state of ihram)
4. Waist bag or fanny pack for your valuables
5. Cash to purchase drinks or snacks to refuel and re-energize yourself during Hajj
6. Travel documents (Passport, visa, etc.)

Health guidelines

To ensure you are safe from potentially contracting conditions, you must acquire certain vaccinations before performing Hajj. Note that medical insurance is not automatically provided to Hajj pilgrims, therefore, seek the advice of your healthcare provider before traveling.

Required vaccinations

1. Neisseria Meningitidis: You must produce a valid vaccination certificate proving you have received four doses of the meningitis vaccine. The vaccine should have been administered at least 10 days before your arrival at the Hajj sites.
2. Polio: This applies only to countries where polio cases are still on the rise. Produce a valid vaccination certificate proving you have received at least one dose of either bivalent oral polio vaccine (Bopv) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The vaccine should have been administered between four weeks and 12 months before you entered Saudi Arabia.
3. Yellow Fever: This applies to all pilgrims above nine months old, where yellow fever continues to be prevalent. You must present a valid vaccination certificate indicating that you’ve been vaccinated against polio before arriving in Saudi Arabia. The certificate only becomes valid ten days after vaccination and it remains valid for life.

Recommended vaccinations

SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19): This is ideal for pilgrims aged 12 years and above. They must have received all doses of Saudi Arabia’s approved COVID-19 vaccines. These include:

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• Oxford/AstraZeneca
• Janssen
• Covovax
• Nuvaxovid
• Sinopharm
• Sinovac
• Covexin
• Sputnik V
• Seasonal influenza

It is advisable to obtain the seasonal influenza vaccination at least 10 days before you visit Hajj sites, especially for pregnant women, children below five years old, senior citizens, and people ith weak immune systems or chronic conditions.

Good personal hygiene etiquette

1. Good personal hygiene is a must especially if you will take part in Hajj where crowds can be made up of to two million people. The following are some personal hygiene practices to practice:
2. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have tissue, use the inside part of your elbow.
3. Wear clean clothes. Apart from the massive crowds, the hot weather can be challenging to deal with. Make sure to wear fresh, clean, comfortable, and breathable fabrics.
4. Keep your living space clean. Make sure to regularly clean the place you’ll be staying at during Hajj to keep allergens, bacteria, and viruses at bay.
5. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth regularly for good oral health.
6. Wash your hands. Learn the proper handwashing steps with soap and water to prevent the spread of diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

While we’ve discussed how 2024 Hajj dates are determined as well as important reminders for Hajj, you may still have a lot of questions about the pilgrimage and traveling to Saudi Arabia in general. Read on for helpful answers to some frequently asked questions.

Who can go to Hajj?

The process of determining Hajj pilgrims each year involves several steps and factors:

1. Quota System: Each country is allocated a specific quota of pilgrims by the Saudi Arabian government, which oversees the Hajj pilgrimage. These quotas are based on the Muslim population of the country. In some Muslim countries, a lottery is performed to select Hajj participants. In non-Muslim countries, meanwhile, it is usually on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Government Selection: Governments of Muslim-majority countries usually oversee the selection process. They may employ various methods, such as lottery systems, to fairly allocate Hajj slots among eligible citizens.
3. Registration: Eligible individuals who wish to perform Hajj must register with their respective government authorities or authorized Hajj agencies. Registration commonly involves providing personal information, documentation, and payment of fees.
4. Criteria: Governments may prioritize certain categories of individuals, such as first-time pilgrims, elderly people, or those with health conditions. They may also consider factors like previous Hajj attendance, socio-economic status, and community contributions.
5. Approval from Saudi Authorities: After the selection process at the national level, the final approval for Hajj participation comes from the Saudi Arabian government. They issue visas and other necessary permissions for pilgrims to enter the Kingdom and perform the pilgrimage.

Overall, the process aims to ensure fairness, safety, and proper management of the large number of pilgrims who converge on Mecca each year for the Hajj.

When was Hajj made compulsory?

Hajj was made mandatory for Muslims in the ninth year of the Islamic calendar, particularly on the ninth day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah. At the time, the Prophet Muhammad performed his final pilgrimage. As he delivered his final sermon at Mount Arafat, he proclaimed the message of how Hajj had become a sacred duty of Muslims.

Was there Hajj in 2020?

Yes, Hajj took place in 2020, although because it was a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, pilgrims who were unaffected by the virus had to go into quarantine for a week in their hotel rooms or homes near Mecca before doing Hajj. News reports in July 2020 state that only 1,000 pilgrims were present that year than the usual two million.

Does registering on Nusuk mean that I have been accepted for Hajj?

No. Registering on Nusuk does not equate to being accepted into Hajj. Check if you are a citizen of the serviced countries on Nusuk for 2024. If you are eligible, you can register through the platform.

Once registered, you may apply for a Hajj visa through authorized service providers who can assist you with the visa application process. It will be up to the Ministry of Umrah & Hajj to approve your Hajj visa.

Conclusion

With Hajj 2024 fast approaching, preparations are underway to ensure a smooth sailing pilgrimage. Saudi authorities are introducing new forms of transport for pilgrims and improvements were done to the Nusuk mobile application.

2024 Hajj dates are expected to fall between June 9th to June 14th or the 8th to the 12th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the year.

Saudi authorities require pilgrims to obtain certain vaccinations to ensure they are safe from contracting or spreading illnesses to fellow Hajj pilgrims.

For more information on Hajj and Hajj dates, visit the Nusuk website or platform.

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