fullscreen

eFinder

eFinder

Home › Article

When are Hajj and Eid al-Adha 2026? A visual guide to the Muslim pilgrimage

Al Jazeera · 🇶🇦 public Qatar · · 1167 words · By Alia Chughtai
headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing
Generate a natural audio summary of this story
Daily briefing

What to know about When are Hajj and Eid al-Adha 2026? A visual guide to the Muslim pilgrimage

A visual guide to the Muslim pilgrimage Nearly 2 million Muslims will embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins on May 25.

Claims checked 24
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

A visual guide to the Muslim pilgrimage Nearly 2 million Muslims will embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins on May 25.

Why it matters

Nearly 2 million Muslims are preparing to embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins on May 25, following the sighting of the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia.

Common ground

The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims from all over the world and a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/18/when-are-hajj-and-eid-al-adha-2026-a-vi…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 24 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 14
check_circle Corroborated 5
verified Verified By Reference 2
cancel Disputed 1
info Single Source 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
schedule
Claim 1: “Pilgrims can then perform the sa’i, a ritual of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 2: “The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims from all over the world”
CORROBORATED
Three independent web sources explicitly state that Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the world.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims from all over the world and a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many. Recommended Stories. list of 2 items.
https://1-e8259.azureedge.net/news/2025/5/30/a-simple-illust…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the world. The state of being physically and financially capable of performing the Hajj is called istita’ah, and a Muslim who fulfills this condi…
https://rotanatours.com/en/hajj-annual-islamic-pilgrimage-me…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Annual Pilgrim Stats,The Largest Hajj in History, Pilgrim Data by Age, Gender, and Travel Mode & 2025 Expectations.The annual Hajj pilgrimage is the largest one in the world, held annually and drawing…
https://saudivisa.com/blog/hajj-statistics-numbers/
check_circle
Claim 3: “The Hajj is performed between the 8th and 12th (or 13th) of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm Hajj takes place between the 8th and 12th or 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — When does Hajj take place? Hajj takes place between the 8th and the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah each year, depending on the sighting of the moon.
https://www.islamic-relief.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ste…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hajj takes place between the 8th and the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah each Islamic year, depending on the sighting of the moon.
https://islamicrelief.org.au/when-is-hajj-2026/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Hajj 2025 is expected to take place between June 4th and June 9th in the Gregorian calendar, corresponding to the 8th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar. The exact dates will depend on…
https://riwaya.co.uk/riwaya-blog/when-is-hajj-2025-a-complet…
schedule
Claim 4: “it is mentioned in the Quran nearly a dozen times.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 5: “It is also the fifth pillar of Islam.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and other authoritative sources confirm Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 3.3 Third Pillar: Zakat (Almsgiving). 3.4 Fourth Pillar: Sawm (Fasting). 3.5 Fifth Pillar: Hajj (Pilgrimage).The first pillar of Islam is the Shahada, the assertion of faith. There are two shahadas: "…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Pillars_of_Islam
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is also the fifth pillar of Islam, and all Muslims are expected to make the journey at least once in their lives if …
https://fanack.com/religions-in-the-middle-east-and-north-af…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hajj - The Fifth Pillar of Islam: What Is Hajj and Why Is It Important?Hajj is more than a pilgrimage; it’s a journey of faith, sacrifice, and profound spiri...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS5Zgk4za9k
schedule
Claim 6: “Pilgrims then proceed to Mina, about 8km (5 miles) east of the Kaaba”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 7: “pilgrims circle the Kaaba – a cubic building at the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) that serves as the qibla, the direction Muslims face during prayer – seven times in a counterclockwise direction.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 8: “this well [Zamzam] has supplied pristine water in the arid desert for more than 4,000 years”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
cancel
Claim 9: “In 2026, the Hajj will take place from May 25 to May 27”
DISPUTED
One source states the 2026 Hajj takes place from May 25 to May 30, which contradicts the claim that it ends on May 27.
schedule
Claim 10: “Because the Islamic calendar follows a lunar cycle, with months lasting 29 or 30 days, the Hajj shifts 10 to 12 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 11: “the declaration of faith (shahada), five daily prayers, obligatory charity (zakat), and fasting during the month of Ramadan [are pillars of Islam]”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this specific claim consists of irrelevant search results about community organizations named 'Pillars' rather than the religious pillars of Islam. No relevant evidence was provided in the search results for this specific claim index.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — From homelessness to coming home, Pillars provides shelter, support, and solutions to address the housing needs in our community.
https://pillarsinc.org/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Pillars Community Health has both formal and informal partnerships with community groups, social services agencies, hospitals, law enforcement, and schools within all of the communities we serve.
https://pillarscommunityhealth.org/about-us/locations/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Welcome to Pillars — where Chicago grit meets timeless ambition. Born in the heart of the West Loop, we’re more than a boutique. We’re a lifestyle built on identity, excellence, and self-expression. E…
https://pillarsusa.com/
schedule
Claim 12: “Mina is famously known as the “city of tents” due to the vast expanse of 100,000 white tents”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 13: “men change into two white garments and women wear modest attire [during Ihram]”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 14: “Nearly 2 million Muslims will embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins on May 25.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that nearly 2 million Muslims embark on the Hajj and that the 2026 pilgrimage begins on May 25.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nearly two million Muslims have arrived at the Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to mark the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88nrkPcc0a8
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Hajj Pilgrimage Mecca 2026 will take place from May 25, 2026 to May 30, 2026 at Masjid al-Haram & surrounding holy sites, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
https://www.stayforit.com/hajj-pilgrimage-mecca/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nearly 2 million Muslims are preparing to embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins on May 25, following the sighting of the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/18/when-are-hajj-and-e…
schedule
Claim 15: “pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah, 9km (5.5 miles) away.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 16: “The timing falls roughly 70 days after the end of Ramadan”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered for this claim.
check_circle
Claim 17: “The word comes from the Arabic root “h-j-j”, which means “intending a journey” or “to set out for a definitive purpose”.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (Al Jazeera, Ismaili Studies, and another guide) confirm the Arabic root 'h-j-j' and its meaning regarding intending a journey.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The word comes from the Arabic root “h-j-j”, which means “intending a journey” or “to set out for a definitive purpose”.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/30/a-simple-illustrate…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The word "Hajj" itself originates from the Arabic root meaning "to intend a journey" or "to set out for a definitive purpose," truly encapsulating the pilgrim's profound intent.
https://www.trips.pk/news/hajj--a-sacred-pilgrimage---an-ill…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — (Arabic; derived from the root ḥ-j-j), meaning ‘to betake oneself to’, also, occurs in other Semitic languages. The word Hajj usually refers to the annual.Stay updated with the latest research, events…
https://www.iis.ac.uk/glossary/hajj/
schedule
Claim 18: “Muslims who are able to do so sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow or camel, and the meat is divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 19: “Muslims mark the end of the Hajj with Eid al-Adha, celebrated on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and lasting up to three days in many countries.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 20: “pilgrims arrive early at the plains of Mount Arafat, about 15km (9 miles) from Mina.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 21: “It is obligatory once in a lifetime for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey.”
CORROBORATED
Three independent sources confirm that Hajj is mandatory once in a lifetime for adult Muslims who are physically and financially able.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hajj, the "Greater Pilgrimage," is the fifth pillar of Islam and is mandatory once in a lifetime for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially capable of making the journey. It takes place …
https://www.sloughislamictrust.org.uk/dictionary/meaning/haj…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The word Hajj, linguistically, means heading to a place for the sake of visiting; in Islamic terminology, it implies heading to Makkah to observe the rituals of pilgrimage. Hajj is obligated by Allah …
https://www.islamweb.net/en/article/135337/what-is-hajj-pilg…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hajj is mandatory for adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable. Those unable due to health, financial hardship, or safety concerns are exempt. What are the main Hajj rituals?
https://quizzly.ai/play/hajj
verified
Claim 22: “The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Confirmed by Wikipedia, Britannica, and cross-references as the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hajj is a one-time-required religious duty for all Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey and supporting their family during their absence from home. [4][5][6] I…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 6, 2026 · Hajj, annual pilgrimage to Mecca that is mandatory for all Muslims to make at least once in their lives, provided they are physically and financially capable. The hajj is the fifth of th…
https://www.britannica.com/topic/hajj
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Official portal of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah – offering complete information and services for pilgrims including services, procedures, and guidelines for Hajj, Umrah and servici…
https://haj.gov.sa/en
+ 1 more evidence source
schedule
Claim 23: “Prophet Muhammad’s “farewell pilgrimage” in 632 AD affirmed the steps in the 10th year of the Islamic calendar”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 24: “pilgrims... throw seven pebbles at the largest of three stone pillars.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.