Hajj to begin on October 24
October 16, 2012  20:03


The annual Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj that is performed by millions of Muslims every year will begin on October 24.

Pilgrims from all over the world have already started pouring into Saudi Arabia and officials said over 1.2 million had arrived by on Monday, with many more set to come in the next few days.

Religious authorities in Saudi Arabia announced today that the last month of the Islamic lunar calender will begin from Wednesday, with Eid Al Azha, the festival of sacrifice, to be celebrated on October 26, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The five-day rituals of Hajj begin on the eighth day of the month and culminate with the rite of sacrifice.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and every able bodied Muslim who can afford to travel to Mecca is expected to perform the pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime. 
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