MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH (HRNW) – The annual Hajj pilgrimage of 2026 officially commences tomorrow, the 8th of Dhul Hijjah. A massive transport operation to move pilgrims from the holy city of Makkah to the tent city of Mina will begin tonight right after Maghrib prayers.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, all arrangements for Hajj 2026 have been successfully finalized under the direct supervision and leadership of the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs. So far, more than 118,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia via 471 special flights.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has released the following detailed schedule and guidelines for the pilgrims:
Movement to Mina and Logistics
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Commencement of Transit: The transport operation to move Pakistani pilgrims to Mina will begin tonight after Maghrib prayers.
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Transport Facilities: A fleet of modern buses will safely transport pilgrims to Mina on a guaranteed “seat-to-seat” basis. This entire transit process will be completed by 10:00 AM tomorrow (8th Dhul Hijjah).
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Monitoring and Catering: A dedicated group leader (Nazim) has been appointed for every 188 pilgrims to ensure smooth coordination. In the Mina tents, pilgrims will be served fresh, three-course meals tailored to Pakistani culinary tastes.
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Health Advisory: Due to forecasts of extreme weather and intense heat during the Hajj days, pilgrims are strongly advised to adhere strictly to precautionary guidelines and medical advice provided by health experts while staying at the holy sites (Masha’er).
Comprehensive Hajj Rituals Schedule
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9th Dhul Hijjah (Tuesday) – Wuquf-e-Arafat (The Main Pillar of Hajj): The climate and central ritual of Hajj, the Wuquf-e-Arafat, will take place on Tuesday. Before the Dhuhr prayer, all pilgrims will be transported to the Plains of Arafat via buses and the Mashaer Train. After listening to the Hajj sermon (Khutbah), pilgrims will offer combined and shortened Dhuhr and Asr prayers in their tents and spend their time in prayers, supplications, and remembrance of Allah until sunset.
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Departure to Muzdalifah: Immediately after sunset, without offering the Maghrib prayer at Arafat, pilgrims will depart for Muzdalifah via buses and the train. Upon arrival in Muzdalifah, they will perform combined Maghrib and Isha prayers and spend the night under the open sky, where they will also collect 70 pebbles for the Rami (stoning) ritual.
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10th Dhul Hijjah – Stoning, Sacrifice, and Halq: Following the morning Wuquf at Muzdalifah on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims will return to Mina to perform Rami (stoning the large pillar, Jamarat al-Aqaba). After completing the animal sacrifice (Qurbani) and shaving or clipping their hair (Halq or Qasr), pilgrims will shave off the restrictions of the Ihram.
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Tawaf-e-Ziyarah and Final Rituals: Between the 10th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims will perform the third mandatory pillar of Hajj, Tawaf-e-Ziyarah, along with the Sa’ee. Finally, on the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah, they will stone all three pillars in Mina before returning to their respective accommodations, marking the successful completion of the Hajj pilgrimage.
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