(VOVWORLD) - The annual Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia will start on Wednesday for one million vaccinated Muslims from around the world.
 Muslim worshippers gather before the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on Jul 2, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
In 2019, some 2.5 million pilgrims worldwide participated in the pilgrimage. But then the COVID-19 pandemic forced Saudi authorities to dramatically downsize the Hajj, and just 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents of the Kingdom took part in the rituals last year, up from 10,000 in 2020.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam including the profession of faith, daily prayers, alms-giving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims are expected to complete the Hajj to Mecca at least once in their lives if they have the means to do so.
During the pilgrimage, believers converge on the holy city for several days of rituals in which they retrace the Prophet Mohammed’s last pilgrimage. The climax of the Hajj is the gathering on Mount Arafat where it is believed that the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.
Pilgrims assemble on the Mount for hours of prayers and Koran recitals and stay there until the evening.