Google sets up Hajjcam on YouTube, a live cam on the Mecca pilgrimage

Tomorrow marks the annual Islamic ritual of the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and Google will for the first time live-stream the pilgrimage on YouTube at www.youtube.com/hajjlive. Mecca, a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia, sees its nearly two million population nearly double every year during Dhu al-Hijjah.

Thanks to the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information’s YouTube channel, millions around the world can experience and comment on the live stream of the ancient ritual. Google wrote in a blog post over at the official YouTube channel:

Earlier this year, we worked with the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information to broadcast Islamic prayers live during Ramadan from the Holy Mosque in Mecca for the first time. In continued cooperation with the Ministry, we’re now able to live stream the Hajj on YouTube for the first time.

The stream goes live on Saturday, November 5, at the aforementioned URL.