Hajj Pilgrimage Starts In Saudi Arabia, With 2 Million Expected

MINA, Saudi Arabia — On Monday, over 2 million Muslim pilgrims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, leaving Mecca after circumnavigating Islam’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba, and gathering on a massive tent camp in the adjacent desert for a day and night of prayer.

For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began three years ago, one of the world’s greatest religious meetings has returned to full capacity this year.

The trip is one of Islam’s five pillars, and all Muslims must perform the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially capable.

It is a powerful spiritual experience for pilgrims that cleanses sins, brings them closer to God, and connects the world’s more than 1.8 billion Muslims. Some people save for years and wait for permission before embarking on the adventure.

The ceremonies of Hajj primarily recall the narratives of Ibrahim, his son Ismail, and Ismail’s mother, Hajar, in the Quran.

Pilgrims have been making the customary round around the Kaaba since they arrived in Mecca a few days ago. The pilgrims journeyed by foot or bus to Mina, where they would camp in one of the world’s largest tent towns, as the last ones did on Monday. They will pray all day and night before traveling to Mount Arafat on Tuesday, where the Prophet Muhammad is claimed to have delivered his last sermon.

Mina is broad and open, without relief from the scorching desert heat. Soldiers poured water on pilgrims to cool them off.

Egyptian businessman Yehya Al-Ghanam said he was at a loss for words when he arrived in Mina.

“Tears will fall from my eyes out of joy and happiness,” he declared. “I never sleep.” I haven’t slept for 15 days, only an hour a day,” overwhelmed by the weight of his pilgrimage’s emotions.

Following Arafat, travelers collect pebbles from Muzdalifa to be used in the symbolic stoning of devil-like pillars in Mina. The Hajj’s final three days coincide with the celebratory Eid al-Adha celebration when Muslims worldwide slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the needy.

SOURCE – (AP)