In 2003, Channel 4 will be the home of The Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is something every Muslim is expected to undertake in their lifetime, this year more than 2.3 million pilgrims will converge on Mecca in Western Saudi Arabia.
This website will cater to all your Hajj needs with daily updates from our team on the ground including photographs, video and feature stories. See, listen and read what's happening, where the pilgrims are and what they're doing.
The Hajj officially starts on Sunday February 9 and we will have our
first update on Monday February 10. Until then you can take our pilgrimage,
the closest you can get to the real thing, the Virtual
Pilgrimage.
Over 1400 years the Hajj today has evolved into a modern event. Find out how Muslims prepare for the Hajj and read our checklist on what you need to do. We also detail the staggering amount of infrastructure and organisation to run the Hajj today and tell you more about its hosts, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
If you're confused about Islam or want to find out more about the religion's popularity in the UK, go to our Ask Our Imam section. Noted Imam and religious leader, Dr Zaki Badawi is on hand to answer your questions, the best ones will have their answers posted each day.
The Resources section will have everything else you need; maps of key locations, prayers in Arabic and English - you can even listen to them, slideshows of photographs and video.
If that's not enough for you we have also compiled a list of links and further reading for you about the Hajj.
Second-time pilgrim Serfraz Qayyum
On your televisions, Channel 4 will be following five different pilgrims throughout the Hajj. Find out more about the television coverage including programme times here.
Five very different pilgrims will be Channel 4's eyes and ears on the ground. They come from all over the world including the UK, USA and Pakistan. Find out more about the pilgrims Channel 4 will follow here and watch video.
Each day during the Hajj, this website will promote what is on air that night and after the programme you can also watch it online.
Don't miss our extensive coverage of the Hajj - the Greatest Trip on Earth.
On Channel 4
