Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
06 June 2024 | 10:50 a.m. SAST
1-minute read

Image: Supplied by a pilgrim

???? Depending on when the moon is sighted, Hajj will commence next Friday or Saturday

???? Camps in Mina and Arafah are ready

???? Crowds appear to be smaller than last year

???? Hujjaaj are encouraged to keep hydrated and gather strength ahead of the 5 days of Hajj amidst soaring temperatures in the kingdom

Hajj is expected to begin next Friday, pending the sighting of the moon tomorrow night.

Preparations for Hajj are well underway across the kingdom, Hafidh Moaaz Casoo, president of the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) told Radio Islam International.

Preparations include traffic control and security measures to manage the large crowds that have already started arriving.

Hafidh Casoo said that there appears to be no significant increase in the quota for any country, leading to an ostensibly smaller crowd than last year.

Camps in Mina and Arafah have been set up and were ready two weeks before the five days of Hajj. This is the first time that SAHUC officials have seen the camps ready so far in advance, highlighting significant improvements in planning and organisation by the Saudi government.

The camps are ready, clean, and well-marked, although water and sewage connections are still pending in both Mina and Arafat.

The same mutawwifs (service providers) have been commissioned this year and are already showing improved services, Hafidh Casoo reported.

With temperatures soaring to 46–47 °C in Madina and expected to reach 50 °C in Makkah during the Hajj period, Hujjaaj (pilgrims) are advised to stay hydrated, rest, and prepare for the “journey of a lifetime,”  Hafidh Casoo said.

Security in areas like Azizia is tight, particularly to prevent individuals without Hajj visas from entering.

Stay tuned to Radio Islam for Hajj coverage.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat here.