Hajj pilgrimage starts in Saudi Arabia, with 2 million expected after lifting of COVID measures

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The Hajj pilgrimage has commenced in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated 2 million participants expected to attend following the lifting of COVID-19 measures. Muslim pilgrims began their journey by circling the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, located in Mecca, before converging on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert. This year marks the first time since the start of the pandemic three years ago that the pilgrimage is operating at full capacity.

The Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, obligating all physically and financially capable Muslims to undertake the five-day pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. It is a profoundly spiritual experience for pilgrims, providing an opportunity to seek forgiveness, draw closer to God, and foster unity among the global Muslim community of over 1.8 billion individuals. Many devotees spend years saving money and waiting for the chance to embark on this sacred journey.

Hosting the annual Hajj and maintaining the holy sites holds great significance for the Saudi royal family, who gained control of Mecca in the 1920s. However, the pilgrimage has witnessed unfortunate incidents in the past, such as the tragic stampede and overcrowding in 2015, resulting in the loss of over 2,400 lives.

In response to the global lockdowns imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, Saudi authorities restricted the Hajj to a limited number of citizens and local residents. The previous year, approximately 2.5 million Muslims participated in the pilgrimage.

The rituals of the Hajj commence with the pilgrims entering a state of spiritual purity known as “ihram.” Men dress in simple, white terrycloth garments, while women forgo makeup and cover their hair. The participants perform seven circuits around the Kaaba, a black, cube-shaped structure, and walk between two hills within the expansive Grand Mosque of Mecca, the largest mosque in the world.

These rituals primarily commemorate the events described in the Quran involving Ibrahim (Abraham), his son Ismail (Ishmael), and Ismail’s mother Hajar (Hagar). For instance, the walk between the hills symbolizes Hajar’s search for water in the desert for Ismail. Islamic tradition holds that Ibrahim was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Ismail but was ultimately spared by divine intervention. According to Muslim belief, Ibrahim and Ismail later constructed the Kaaba, which serves as the focal point of Muslims’ daily prayers, irrespective of their geographical location.

Over the past few days, pilgrims have been performing the circumambulation of the Kaaba since their arrival in Mecca. Once completed, the pilgrims have made their way to Mina, either by foot or by bus, where they will reside in one of the world’s largest tent cities. Prayers will be offered continuously throughout the day and night. On Tuesday, the pilgrims will proceed to Mount Arafat, the location where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon.

At Muzdalifa, the participants will gather pebbles to be used symbolically for the stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. The last three days of the Hajj coincide with the festive Eid al-Adha holiday, during which Muslims worldwide engage in the ritual sacrifice of livestock and distribute the meat to the less fortunate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hajj pilgrimage

More about Hajj pilgrimage

• Hajj – The Fifth Pillar of Islam
• Hajj – The Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca
• The Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca
• Hajj – The Journey of a Lifetime
• Safety measures for Hajj pilgrims
• Stampede at Hajj kills 2,400
• Eid al-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice