Makkah Welcomes Muslim Pilgrims Ahead of Hajj
In a monumental return to its grand scale, Muslim pilgrims are flocking to Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Makkah in preparation for the start of the annual Hajj later this week.
Saudi officials have reported that over 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived in the country by Tuesday, with the majority arriving by air from various parts of the world. More pilgrims are expected to join, including hundreds of thousands of Saudis and residents of Saudi Arabia, when the pilgrimage officially commences on Friday.
The latest arrival data shows that 1,483,312 pilgrims arrived by air, while 59,273 entered through land ports. Sea ports welcomed 4,710 pilgrims, according to state news agency SPA.
Anticipation is high as officials predict this year’s number of pilgrims to surpass 2023 figures, nearing pre-pandemic levels when over 1.8 million people performed Hajj. In 2019, the pilgrimage saw over 2.4 million Muslims participating.
Among the pilgrims are 4,200 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank who arrived earlier in Makkah this month, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. Unfortunately, Palestinians from Gaza were unable to travel for Hajj this year due to the conflict with Israel.
At the Grand Mosque in Makkah, pilgrims crowded to perform the ritual circuit around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, wearing traditional ihrams under the scorching sun, with temperatures soaring to 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit).
“I was relieved when I arrived at the Al-Masjid Al-Haram and saw the Kaaba,” shared Rabeia Al-Raghi, a Moroccan pilgrim. “I am very happy.”
As night fell, the marble court around the Kaaba was bustling with the faithful, engaging in the Tawaf, or circumambulation. The crowds will continue this ritual into the first day of Hajj.
During Hajj, pilgrims will proceed to the Mountain of Arafat for a day of vigil before moving to Muzdalifah to collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil in Mina.
Hajj, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, is a fundamental pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for all physically and financially capable Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
For pilgrims, Hajj is a spiritual journey to strengthen faith, seek forgiveness, and embark on a new chapter in their lives.