Approximately 2mn Muslim pilgrims officially began the annual Hajj pilgrimage on June 26, as they made their way out of Mecca after circling Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba, and converging on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert for a day and night of prayer, ABC news reports.
This year's pilgrimage marks the return to full capacity for one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, following the lifting of COVID-19 measures that had restricted the number of participants for the past few years.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is obligatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime. For many pilgrims, it is a deeply spiritual experience that brings them closer to God, absolves their sins, and fosters unity among the global Muslim community, which comprises more than 1.8bn individuals. Some individuals save money for years and patiently await a permit to embark on this sacred journey.
The rituals performed during the Hajj primarily commemorate the events described in the Quran involving Ibrahim, his son Ismail, and Ismail's mother Hajar. Pilgrims have been engaged in the ritual circuit around the Kaaba since their arrival in Mecca over the past few days. As the last groups of pilgrims performed this circumambulation on June 26, they then proceeded by foot or bus to Mina, a sprawling tent city considered one of the largest in the world. Here, the pilgrims will engage in prayers throughout the day and night before moving on to Mount Arafat on June 27, where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon.
Mina's vast open space offers little respite from the scorching desert heat and the blazing sun. To help alleviate the discomfort, soldiers were deployed to spray water on the pilgrims, providing relief and cooling them down. The arrival at Mina is an emotionally charged moment for many, with feelings of joy and happiness overwhelming them.
Yehya Al-Ghanam, an Egyptian businessman, described his profound emotional state upon reaching Mina, stating that tears of joy and happiness would flow from his eyes. He expressed the intensity of his emotions, having spent the past 15 days consumed by the anticipation of the pilgrimage.
“Tears will fall from my eyes out of joy and happiness. I do not sleep. I have not slept for 15 days, only an hour a day," he said.
Following the visit to Arafat, the pilgrims collect pebbles from a site known as Muzdalifa, which will be used in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. The final three days of the Hajj coincide with the festive holiday of Eid al-Adha, during which Muslims worldwide sacrifice livestock and distribute the meat to the less fortunate.
The resumption of the Hajj pilgrimage at full capacity is seen as a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia and the global Muslim community. With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the event is expected to proceed smoothly, allowing pilgrims to engage fully in the spiritual rituals and traditions associated with the Hajj.
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