By — Riazat Butt, Associated Press Riazat Butt, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/2-million-begin-hajj-as-pilgrimage-returns-to-full-capacity-for-first-time-since-pandemic Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 2 million begin Hajj as pilgrimage returns to full capacity for first time since pandemic World Jun 26, 2023 9:57 AM EDT MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Some 2 million Muslim pilgrims officially began the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Monday, making their way out of Mecca after circling Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, and converging on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert for a day and night of prayer. READ MORE: ‘We’re just taking space.’ How Arabic music is breaking through to new audiences One of the largest religious gatherings in the world has returned to full capacity this year for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do it. A general view shows busses parked at the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca, ready to transport people ahead of the annual haj, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY For pilgrims, it is a deeply moving spiritual experience that absolves sins, brings them closer to God and unites the world’s more than 1.8 billion Muslims. Some spend years saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the journey. The rituals during Hajj largely commemorate the Quran’s accounts of Ibrahim, his son Ismail and Ismail’s mother Hajar. Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj at the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Pilgrims have been doing the ritual circuit around the Kaaba since arriving in Mecca over recent days. As the last ones performed it Monday, the pilgrims made their way by foot or by bus to Mina, where they will camp in one of the largest tent cities in the world. They will pray throughout the day and night before traveling on Tuesday to Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his final sermon. People walk during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the Mina area, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 26, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Mina is vast and open, with little respite from the desert heat and blazing sun. Soldiers sprayed pilgrims with water to cool them down. Egyptian businessman Yehya Al-Ghanam said he was at a loss for words to describe his feelings upon arriving at Mina. People walk during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the Mina area, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 26, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany “Tears will fall from my eyes out of joy and happiness,” he said. “I do not sleep. I have not slept for 15 days, only an hour a day,” overwhelmed by the magnitude of the emotions surrounding his pilgrimage. After Arafat, pilgrims collect pebbles from a site known as Muzdalifa to be used in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. The final three days of the Hajj coincide with the festive Eid al-Adha holiday, when Muslims around the world slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor. By — Riazat Butt, Associated Press Riazat Butt, Associated Press
MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Some 2 million Muslim pilgrims officially began the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Monday, making their way out of Mecca after circling Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, and converging on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert for a day and night of prayer. READ MORE: ‘We’re just taking space.’ How Arabic music is breaking through to new audiences One of the largest religious gatherings in the world has returned to full capacity this year for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do it. A general view shows busses parked at the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca, ready to transport people ahead of the annual haj, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY For pilgrims, it is a deeply moving spiritual experience that absolves sins, brings them closer to God and unites the world’s more than 1.8 billion Muslims. Some spend years saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the journey. The rituals during Hajj largely commemorate the Quran’s accounts of Ibrahim, his son Ismail and Ismail’s mother Hajar. Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj at the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Pilgrims have been doing the ritual circuit around the Kaaba since arriving in Mecca over recent days. As the last ones performed it Monday, the pilgrims made their way by foot or by bus to Mina, where they will camp in one of the largest tent cities in the world. They will pray throughout the day and night before traveling on Tuesday to Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his final sermon. People walk during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the Mina area, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 26, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Mina is vast and open, with little respite from the desert heat and blazing sun. Soldiers sprayed pilgrims with water to cool them down. Egyptian businessman Yehya Al-Ghanam said he was at a loss for words to describe his feelings upon arriving at Mina. People walk during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the Mina area, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 26, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany “Tears will fall from my eyes out of joy and happiness,” he said. “I do not sleep. I have not slept for 15 days, only an hour a day,” overwhelmed by the magnitude of the emotions surrounding his pilgrimage. After Arafat, pilgrims collect pebbles from a site known as Muzdalifa to be used in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. The final three days of the Hajj coincide with the festive Eid al-Adha holiday, when Muslims around the world slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor.