Hijri and Gregorian calendar

Hijri, which is known as the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar with 12 months and 364 days a year. It started in 622 AD during the Hijra (emigration) of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah.

The Gregorian calendar which is also known as the Christian or Western calendar is a solar calendar that began in 1582. It consists of 12 months and 365 days and a leap year that occurs every four years which results in 366 days. 

The Lunar calendar lags behind the solar calendar by 10-11 days each year and the process repeats every 33 years.

Mentioned in the Quran, Allah commanded Muslims to use the phases of the (new) moon to mark the fixed periods of Muslim’s affairs including Hajj and fasting Ramadan.

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Key months and
their significance

The Holy Month of Ramadan

In 2019, more than 1 million Muslim visitors came from all around the world to perform Umrah. It is believed that performing Umrah during the Holy month of Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj with Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

Note: The act of performing Umrah during Ramadan will not substitute Hajj as it is still required by every Muslim at least once during their lifetime, but it will be equivalent to it.

Rajab

Rajab (which converts to March in the Gregorian calendar) is another very important month in the Islamic calendar. It is believed to be the month of seeking forgiveness. Muslims go the extra mile with fasting, doing charity work, and traveling to the house of Allah to perform Umrah.

In 2018, more than 1 million Muslim visitors came from all around the world to perform Umrah during Rajab.

Hajj Season

Hajj Season is determined by the Islamic calendar and takes place during the 12th month (Dhul-Hijjah) between the 8th-13th of that month. This means that the date of the Hajj Season changes every year in the Gregorian calendar and occurs 10 days earlier than the year before.

Key months and
their significance

Weather

Saudi Arabia is known for its very warm summers. Therefore, it is recommended to plan a trip to Makkah to perform Umrah between November and February to guarantee cooler weather. In 2019, between December and January more than 1.5 million Muslim visitors came from all around the world to perform Umrah during the cooler season.

Pilgrimage in times of the global pandemic

Due to the global pandemic that hit the world in 2020 (1441 in Hijri Year), the Saudi government restricted Hajj and Umrah rites to a limited number of people.

Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and from abroad are now eligible to apply for a Umrah permit and as part of Saudi Arabia’s gradual Umrah resumption plan, 20,000 pilgrims are allowed to enter the Grand Mosque per day. Permit registration is completed through the Eatmarna application available on all smartphones.

With strict precautionary measures in place, to avoid the spread of the virus, pilgrims in Saudi Arabia who are immunized and hold an approval will be granted entry to the Mosque to perform Umrah. International pilgrims must have a negative PCR 48 hours or more after arriving in the Kingdom and a permit to perform Umrah.

Immunization categories: 

  • Who received two doses of the vaccine
  • 14 days after receiving the first dose
  • Who recovered from COVID-19

There are no limits as to how many times a person can apply for a permit, but permits will be issued depending on the available numbers. Pilgrims must also complete the Umrah process before applying for another permit.

Anyone who starts showing symptoms of COVID-19 or comes in close contact with an infected person after receiving the permit can cancel their registration.

For more information about the latest updates on Hajj and Umrah regulations please visit the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah website or the Ministry of Health website.

Discover more

About Hajj
About Umrah
How to Perform Hajj
How to Perform Umrah