UPDATE: The dates of Eid al-Adha and Hajj 2023/1444 have been confirmed — click here to find out the latest

Hajj occurs during Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar. But when will Hajj 2023 / 1444 fall exactly this year in the Gregorian calendar?

The holy period spans five days, from the 8th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah.

In the Gregorian Calendar, this year's Hajj is expected to occur from June 26 to July 1, 2023.  

Eid ul Adha is projected to be on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.  

These dates are subject to change based on the moon sighting for the start of Dhul Hijjah, 1444, which is anticipated on June 19.

So, if Dhul Hijjah starts June 19 the key dates in Hajj could be:

• Tuesday, June 27 - Day of Arafat 2023/1444
• Wednesday, June 28 - Eid al-Adha 2023/1444
• June 29, June 30, and July 1 - The days of tashreeq

What happens in Hajj?

According to the Hijri calendar, the pilgrimage begins on the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah and ends on the 13th. Millions of Muslims travel to make the journey to participate in this Holy Pilgrimage to the city of Makkah.

During Hajj, pilgrims perform a series of rituals: each person walks seven times around the Kaaba; jogs back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times; drinks from the Zamzam Well; goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil; spends a night in the plain of Muzdalifa, and performs symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing stones at three pillars.  

After the sacrifice of an animal, the pilgrims must either shave their hair for men or trim the ends of their hair for women.

According to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Hajj is compulsory for Muslims to perform once in their lifetime if they can afford it financially, as it is the fifth pillar of Islam. This is providing their well-being and health permits them to do so and they can support their family in their absence.  

Find out more about Hajj