The annual haj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, officially began on Monday.
More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the country, Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, commander of the haj travel forces, said on Friday. The believers have been flocking to the country for the pilgrimage against Iran’s ceasefire situation and regional tensions and uncertainty.
Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim said he thanks God that he was able to make it to the hajj, which is required once in the life of every Muslim who can afford it and is able to do it physically.
“I am in a blessed and happy state,” he said in Mecca on Sunday. “It’s an indescribable feeling, really. I mean, thank God, I’m blessed.”
Usually on the first day, many pilgrims in Mecca meet at a large tent camp in the nearby desert. Prior to that, pilgrims have been circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in the sweltering heat. For pilgrims, the hajj can be a very exciting spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and forgiveness of past sins. Pilgrims perform the hajj for several days.
Others spend many years hoping and praying that one day they will perform the Hajj or save money and wait for permission to start the journey.
