Every year, millions of Muslims gather in Mecca  for a spiritual journey of Hajj  and Umrah , which is one of the largest and most influential pilgrimages. Geopolitically, religious pilgrimages have shaped civilisations and cultural connections. Hajj and umrah, along with spiritual essence, are tools of soft power for Saudi Arabia and not just an administrative responsibility.  Illustration by The Geostrata Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is a mandatory act once in