Saudi Arabia is flooded with pilgrims making their way to holy sites.
Muslim pilgrims have been arriving in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in anticipation of the Hajj, which begins later this week. This significant Islamic event is returning to its full scale after disruptions due to the pandemic. More than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the globe had reached Saudi Arabia by Tuesday, primarily via air travel. With additional arrivals expected, the total number of participants this year is anticipated to surpass that of previous years, including over a million from 2023 and approaching the 2.4 million participants of 2019. The pilgrims include citizens from all over the world, as well as hundreds of thousands of Saudi residents.
More than 1.5 million Muslims have arrived in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Here are 5 things about one of the world’s largest religious gatherings pic.twitter.com/5Lfr3CbAqC
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Hajj, a central pillar of Islamic faith, requires every Muslim who is physically and financially capable to undertake this pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage coincides with Dhul-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marking a period of profound religious significance. This year, the event is set against a backdrop of international concerns, including the inability of Palestinians from Gaza to attend due to regional conflicts.
More than a million and a half pilgrims.. The pilgrims continue to flock to Makkah Al-Mukarramah to perform the Hajj pilgrimage pic.twitter.com/ieSVgJuoRA
— zere Nazar Al Jazeera (@MuhammadYo95978) June 12, 2024
Upon arrival in Mecca, pilgrims engage in various rituals, including Tawaf, where they walk seven times around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site. These rituals are performed in the expansive surroundings of the Grand Mosque, under intense heat with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Pilgrims wear simple white garments and many carry umbrellas for protection against the sun.
The emotional impact of Hajj is profound. Pilgrims like Rabeia al-Raghi from Morocco and Mohammad Abdel-Baset from Iraq express overwhelming joy and gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill this religious duty. The event not only offers a chance to adhere to religious obligations but also provides a moment for personal and spiritual reflection and renewal.
More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims arrive in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. pic.twitter.com/2ALz2B07Pb
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) June 12, 2024
The pilgrimage progresses from Mecca to the Mountain of Arafat and onto Muzdalifah, where pilgrims gather pebbles for the symbolic stoning of pillars at Mina, representing a rejection of evil. The communal aspect of Hajj, with millions gathered in prayer and ritual, underscores its significance as one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and a transformative experience for those who participate.
Major Points:
- Over 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world have arrived in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with numbers expected to exceed the 1.8 million attendees of 2023.
- Hajj, a vital religious obligation for Muslims, takes place during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja and requires participation at least once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able.
- Pilgrims participate in various rituals, including walking around the Kaaba seven times, amidst soaring temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
- Emotional testimonials from pilgrims highlight the profound spiritual significance and joy of participating in Hajj.
- The pilgrimage includes movements to significant locations such as the Mountain of Arafat and Muzdalifah, culminating in a symbolic stoning of pillars at Mina.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
