Every Muslim who has the means is obliged to perform Hajj at least once. Hajj is performed on the 8th to 2th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic year.
Because the Islamic year is based on a lunar calendar, and is 11 days shorter than the actual year, this date moves forward every year.
There used to be thousands of pilgrims coming to Mecca every year travelling for many weeks or even months through dangerous territories in order to perform this religious duty. As travel has become much easier, more people can afford the journey to Meccah. At this time about two million people perform Hajj every year. And the Saudi Government has to keep it at that number because otherwise Hajj would become impossible.
Several rituals have to be performed by all pilgrims during the short time of Hajj. This presents Saudi Arabia, as hosts and organizers of the Hajj enormous logistical problems.
Saudi Arabia is constately at work to perfect the different problems of housing, transport, food, drink, and speed in which pilgrims can manage to perform the obligatory rituals in the prescribed times. Congestion is always a problem. there have been stampedes in the past and this is to be avoided. Pilgrim traffic is now to be one-way.
A new feature will be the largest clock tower in the world, showing Mecca time. Another improvement is the recent addition of the Mashair Railway, a light rail track linking the sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat, areas that see massive crowding.The train link will operate at 35 percent of its final capacity. It will replace 4,000 buses previously used, said Saeed al-Qurashi, head of the Hajj and Umra Committee at the Mecca Chamber of Commerce.
The pilgrimage is not only a personal experience, but should be a time of spiritual unity amongst Muslims.
“We are trying to adopt the Jamarat experience to the Grand Holy Mosque,” interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki said last month.
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