On the Boycott of Hajj

Every year, on the last month of the Islamic calendar of Dhu al-Hijjah, millions of Muslims all around the world flock to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform hajj. Their brothers in the neighboring land of Yemen and more – on the other hand, are facing the disastrous impact of past Saudi foreign policy. Because of this, despite being overshadowed by more than a million Muslim pilgrims, the world witnessed the rise of several groups a few years back that called for a boycott of the pilgrimage as a form of protest at the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” political record. While it sounds ridiculous at first, let’s take a look at this small but defiant movement.