For more than 1,300 years, Jeddah has played a central role in the Hajj and Umrah journey, serving as the primary gateway for pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah. Designated as a port for pilgrims as early as 674 CE by Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, the Red Sea city became the first Saudi landfall for millions undertaking a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey.
Long before modern airports and highways, pilgrims arrived by sea aboard large ships anchored offshore. Local Jeddawis would ferry them to land on wooden boats, welcome them, and act as their agents — known historically as Wukalaa — helping arrange lodging and onward travel. Many pilgrims stayed briefly in Jeddah while preparing for the journey inland, often forming lifelong bonds with the families who hosted them.
Hospitality was not just a gesture, but a way of life. Homes in historic Al-Balad were designed to accommodate guests, with families giving pilgrims their main sitting rooms while relocating to upper floors or rooftop sleeping quarters. This tradition shaped Jeddah’s distinctive architecture, including its multi-story homes and iconic rowshan balconies.
Hajj also fueled the city’s economic and cultural growth. Seasonal population surges brought trade, exchange, and diversity, reinforcing Jeddah’s reputation as a welcoming, cosmopolitan port. As pilgrim numbers increased in the mid-20th century, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introduced purpose-built pilgrim cities near the seaport and airport, ensuring safety, comfort, and organization at scale.
While pilgrims are no longer hosted in private homes, Jeddah’s spirit of generosity endures. The city remains a place of arrival, transition, and welcome — where faith, history, and human connection have intersected for centuries.
Inspired by historical reporting from Arab News.