In the end of October of this year millions of Muslims from every corner of the world perform Hajj— pilgrimage to the main relic of Islam, the Holy Mosque in the city of Makkah.
This year the delegation of the Ukrainian pilgrims from different regions of Ukraine which totals about 150 persons, including 30 women, goes to Makkah for Hajj .
The Ukrainian pilgrims will be divided into three groups which will take off from Simferopol (October, 24th), Borispol (October, 25th) and Odessa (October, 26th). Except performing of Hajj ceremonies, pilgrims will also spend several days in the city of Medina where they will visit the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad and other significant places for Muslims.
Pilgrims will spend 23 days on the territory of Saudi Arabia and will return to Ukraine on the 14th, 15th and 16th of November accordingly.
Among pilgrims there are married couples, aspiring to carry out this ceremony together, including such where both spouses are ethnic Ukrainians.
The Council of Religious Administrations and Centers of Muslims of Ukraine is engaged in the organization and sending of the Ukrainian Muslims to Hajj. The Council coordinated the Ukrainian quotas with the Ministry of Affairs of Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for two consecutive years and intends to take the most active part in the organization of Hajj of the Muslims of Ukraine in the future, too. The AUASO "Alraid" and the RAMU "Ummah" promote the organization, teaching pilgrims the ceremonies of Hajj and giving coordinators for each group.
The pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque is one of the pillars of Islam and the ceremony of worship which at least once in a lifetime should be performed by each Muslim who has possibility to carry it out and possesses rightly earned means.