Hajj 2025 Begins Today as Millions of Pilgrims Arrive in Mina for Rituals
Makkah:The sacred journey of **Hajj 2025** begins today as **millions of pilgrims** from around the world, including tens of thousands from Pakistan, arrive in **Mina** before **Zuhr prayer** to begin the first rituals of the pilgrimage.
Pilgrims will wear **Ihram garments**, offer **two Rak’ah of Nafil prayer**, and depart for Mina, where they will stay until the morning of **Thursday (9th Dhul-Hijjah)**, engaging in prayers and spiritual reflection. Today in Mina, pilgrims will perform **Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers**.
On **9th Dhul-Hijjah**, pilgrims will travel to **Mount Arafat**, where they will participate in **Wuquf (the standing at Arafat)**—the most important pillar of Hajj. After listening to the **Hajj sermon**, pilgrims will offer **Zuhr and Asr prayers combined**, and remain in Arafat until sunset.
Following sunset, pilgrims will proceed to **Muzdalifah** **without offering Maghrib in Arafat**, where they will combine **Maghrib and Isha prayers**, collect pebbles for the **ritual stoning (Ramy)**, and spend the night under the open sky.
On the morning of **10th Dhul-Hijjah**, pilgrims will head to **Jamarat** to perform the first stoning ritual, throwing **seven pebbles at the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqaba)**, followed by **animal sacrifice**, **head shaving (Halaq)** or trimming, and **removal of the Ihram garments**.
On **11th Dhul-Hijjah**, pilgrims will stone the **three Jamarat (small, medium, and large)** with **seven pebbles each**, and then proceed for **Tawaf al-Ziyarah** at the **Kaaba**, followed by **Sa’i** between **Safa and Marwah**.
On **12th Dhul-Hijjah**, after **Zawal (midday)**, pilgrims will again perform **Ramy** at all three Jamarat. Those staying an additional day will do the final stoning on **13th Dhul-Hijjah**, after which they will return from Mina to their accommodations.
According to the **Ministry of Religious Affairs**, **442 buses** have been provided by a Saudi government company for Pakistani pilgrims, while the **Pakistan Hajj Mission** has secured **510 additional buses** through a private firm. In total, **25,861 Pakistani pilgrims** will travel via buses, while **62,000** will use the **Mashaer train** system for their journey.
From **Thursday**, Pakistani pilgrims will also be able to access the **Haram** using a **4-kilometer pedestrian tunnel route** or the **Saudi shuttle service**, according to the ministry’s spokesperson.
The arrangements are part of efforts to ensure a **safe, organized, and spiritually fulfilling Hajj** experience for all pilgrims.
