Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius, large numbers of pilgrims continue to arrive in Mecca to fulfill this sacred religious obligation.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey. Before the official rites, pilgrims spend time praying and gathering around the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Hussain Hamzawi, arriving from Algeria, said: “We arrived in Medina and stayed there for a week. Everything went very well, from prayers and recitations of the Holy Quran and worshiping. We are in Mecca together with other pilgrims. Tomorrow, the Algerian delegation is scheduled to travel to Mount Arafah at 7 a.m. All preparations have been completed and everything is ready.”
According to the pilgrimage schedule, worshippers will perform the Tawaf ritual by circling the Kaaba cube seven times, before walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa and then proceeding to Mina. The highlight of the pilgrimage is the repentance at Mount Arafah, followed by an overnight stay at Muzdalifah to collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning ritual in Mina.
This year’s Hajj pilgrimage lasts from May 25 to 30.
