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Abstract

The report is dedicated to the study of Hajj in the context of real and virtual spaces, the relationship between which raises a number of methodological and ethical questions for researchers. Hajj, as a sacred pilgrimage, is perceived as a physical journey to holy sites in Mecca and Medina. However, with the development of digital technologies and virtual platforms, such as online broadcasts and virtual tours, the question arises: how does the perception of sacred space change in conditions of virtuality? How do participants in Hajj understand and interpret their experience when part of it is carried out through a screen? Virtual spaces create new opportunities for the formation of Islamic identity and communities. Muslims participating in Hajj interact with each other on social networks or forums, sharing their experiences, expectations, and emotions. New forms of solidarity and community emerge that go beyond physical presence. We examine how the boundary between digital and non-digital states is formed in the context of Hajj, where the real experience of pilgrimage intersects with virtual representations. How does the virtual experience influence physical pilgrimage? Is virtual Hajj less significant, or does it complement and enrich the real experience? The report aims to stimulate discussion about the significance of virtual practices in Muslim communities and their role in rethinking traditional religious rituals. The results of the study show that with the development of digital technologies, pilgrimage is taking on new forms, including the possibility of virtual Hajj. This phenomenon raises new social and ethical questions within the Muslim community related to the the necessity of using technology in Hajj, and the perception of tradition in the context of innovations and the commercialization of the ritual.