MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Some 2 million Muslim pilgrims officially began the annual Hajj pilgrimage Monday, leaving Mecca after surrounding Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, and converging on a sprawling tented camp in the nearby desert for a day and night. of prayer
One of the world’s largest devout gatherings returned to full capacity this year for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began 3 years ago.
Pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims must perform the five-day Hajj at least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially willing to do so.
For pilgrims, it is a deeply moving religious holiday that absolves sins, brings them closer to God and unites more than 1. 8 billion Muslims worldwide. Some spend years saving money and waiting for permission to make the trip.
Hajj rituals largely commemorate the Quran accounts of Ibrahim, his son Ismail, and Ismail Hajar’s mother.
Pilgrims have been making the ritual excursion around the Kaaba since they arrived in Mecca in days. As the latter took place on Monday, the pilgrims travelled on foot or by bus to Mina, where they will camp out in one of the world’s largest tent cities. pray all day and night before heading to Mount Arafat on Tuesday, where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his last sermon.
Mina is vast and open, with little respite from the desert heat and scorching sun. The infantrymen doused the pilgrims with water to cool them down.
Egyptian businessman Yehya Al-Ghanam said he had no words to describe his emotions upon arriving in Mina.
“Tears will flow from my eyes of joy and happiness,” he said. “I don’t sleep. I haven’t slept for 15 days, only an hour a day,” struck by the magnitude of the feelings surrounding his pilgrimage.
After Arafat, pilgrims collected pebbles from a place known as Muzdalifa to use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing Satan in Mina. The last 3 days of the Hajj coincide with the holiday of Eid al-Adha, when Muslims around the world slaughter farm animals and distribute meat to the poor.