– Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that Wednesday, May 28 marks the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, with the annual Hajj pilgrimage set to begin on Tuesday, June 4.

According to the official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Day of Arafat will fall on Thursday, June 5, followed by Eid al-Adha on Friday, June 6.

The announcement came after the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah was sighted on Tuesday evening, officially confirming the start of the pilgrimage timeline.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah said that over 1.07 million pilgrims from across the world have already arrived in the Kingdom to perform Hajj this year.

Last year, more than 1.8 million Muslims took part in the pilgrimage, according to official statistics. Saudi authorities have implemented extensive logistical and safety preparations to accommodate the influx of worshippers and ensure the smooth running of the sacred rituals.

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, draws millions of Muslims annually to the holy sites in Mecca and surrounding areas, representing a profound spiritual journey and a pivotal moment in the Islamic calendar.