In 2024, the Hajj pilgrimage will begin on June 14.

The Saudi Supreme Court declared on Thursday night, June 6, that the crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah had been spotted. Thus, Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar, will begin on Friday, June 7.  

The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) declared that Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar, would begin on Friday after astronomical observatories saw the crescent moon.

The officials from the area of the Two Holy Mosques then declared that the Hajj pilgrimage will begin on June 14 in response to this development.
The Hajj is regarded as one of Islam's five pillars. Those who practice the religion and have sufficient resources are required to go on the pilgrimage journey at least once in their lives. Devotees undertake a series of rituals and practices that span at least four days in Mecca and its surroundings in the west of Saudi Arabia.

The second day of the journey, which falls on June 15 this year, is the highest point. At this time, pilgrims assemble on Mount Arafat, the site of Prophet Mohammed's last sermon, for prayers.

Tawfiq al-Rabiah, the Saudi minister in charge of the hajj and Umrah, stated during a press conference on Thursday that "about 1.2 million pilgrims from various countries of the world had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj," according to AP.  In 2023, about 1.8 million Muslims performed the Hajj pilgrimage, according to government figures.

The holy sites of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are located in Saudi Arabia, which also receives billions of dollars every year from the Umrah, which is performed at other times of the year, and the yearly Hajj pilgrimage.