Women of Mecca are reviving the annual Al-Khalif tradition by gathering at the Grand Mosque during the Day of Arafah [1].
This practice ensures the sacred site remains inhabited and lively while the majority of pilgrims leave the city to perform the central rites of the Hajj pilgrimage. Because the residential neighborhoods of Mecca typically empty as pilgrims head toward the plains of Arafat, the women of the city step in to maintain the spiritual atmosphere of the mosque [1].
The tradition takes place on the nine of Dhu al-Hijjah [1], a date that marks the Day of Arafah in the Islamic calendar. During this time, the women congregate within Masjid al-Harām to accompany any remaining pilgrims and provide a continuous presence in the holy sanctuary [1].
By filling the void left by the departing crowds, the participants of Al-Khalif preserve a cultural link to the city's heritage. The act of "enlivening" the mosque is seen as a way to ensure the sanctuary does not fall silent during one of the most significant days of the Islamic year [1].
The tradition highlights the specific role of local Meccan women in the upkeep of the city's religious life. While the global focus of the Day of Arafah is on the Mount of Mercy, the Al-Khalif tradition focuses on the enduring sanctity of the Grand Mosque itself [1].
“Women of Mecca revive the annual “Al-Khalif” tradition by gathering in the Grand Mosque.”
The Al-Khalif tradition serves as a cultural bridge between the formal rituals of the Hajj and the local heritage of Mecca. While the pilgrimage is a global event, this practice underscores the role of the city's permanent residents, specifically women, in maintaining the spiritual continuity of the Grand Mosque when the transient population of pilgrims departs for Arafat.
