Millions of Muslims in Mecca for Hajj
Millions of Muslims flocked to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage. Restrictions were lifted for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. Pilgrims who entered Ihram on Sunday will travel to Mount Arafat on Tuesday.
The annual pilgrimage began on Monday, with millions of Muslims from around the world traveling to Mecca for the first time since Covid-19.
The pilgrims arrived at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Sunday where they performed the Tawaf al-Qudum, known as the Tawaf of Arrival - the first step of the Hajj pilgrimage after entering the state of ihram. Ihram refers to a sacred state that Muslims enter and remain in during the special rituals and events that are required to complete Hajj or Umrah.
Then they performed Sa'i between the hills of Safa and Marwa to express the devotion and faith of Ismail's mother to Allah.
As the sun rose on Monday morning, the pilgrims gathered in the Grand Mosque to pray the sunrise prayers before setting off to Mina.
They then embarked on the journey to Mina where they will spend an entire day and night praying and preparing for the most significant day of the Islamic pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set up thousands of tents in the area to ensure the pilgrims stay well-rested.
On Eid eve, Tuesday, pilgrims will flock to Mount Arafat. Mount Arafat is important because it is the place where the two met again after Allah sent the first prophets Adam and Eve back to earth and where the last prophet Muahmmed gave his last sermon.
They will then move on to Muzdalifah and spend the night supplicating and collected pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual before proceeding with the final steps of the Hajj pilgrimage ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Source: Al Arabiya
