Unlike years past, pilgrims are not allowed to stand side-by-side with other Muslims around the world, all equivalent in Islam before God, seeking mercy, blessings, intelligent health, generosity and healing. Pilgrims wear wristbands provided through the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health that are connected to their phones and monitor their movements to ensure a physical distance.
Foreign media was not allowed to monitor the mecca hajj as standard in recent years. Instead, Saudi state television broadcast live parts of the hajj, adding the arrival on Thursday of pilgrims to the Namira mosque in Arafat, where a sermon will be delivered.
After spending the day praying on Mount Arafat, pilgrims will head to a so-called Muzdalifa, about nine kilometres west of Mount Arafat.
In Muzdalifa, pilgrims rest and collect pebbles that will be used for the symbolic stoning of Satan and to expel evil. This year, however, the pebbles were packaged and sterilized.