Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca begins

More than 1.8 million pilgrims from around the world have gathered around Mecca so far for the Hajj, said Ayedh al-Ghweinim, spokesman for the Saudi Arabian Hajj Ministry. It is also the first large-scale Hajj pilgrimage to be held since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muslims walk and pray around the Kaaba in Mecca. Photo: ET

Egyptian businessman Yehya Al-Ghanam said he was at a loss for words when he arrived at Mina, one of the world's largest tented camps outside Mecca, where pilgrims will stay for much of the Hajj.

All Muslims are required to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.

For pilgrims, it is a deeply moving spiritual experience that helps to erase sins, bring them closer to God and unite the 1.8 billion-strong Muslim community.

Pilgrims have been performing rituals around the Kaaba since arriving in Mecca in recent days. After performing rituals at the Kaaba, they went to the tented area in Mina.

Here, soldiers sprayed water on the pilgrims to help them cool down. Mina is located in the desert, where there are few areas to rest and avoid the sun.

On Tuesday, pilgrims will travel to Mount Arafat, a desert hill where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon. They will then collect pebbles from a site known as Muzdalifa to use in stoning pillars representing the devil in Mina.

The final three days of the Hajj coincide with the Eid al-Adha holiday, when Muslims around the world slaughter livestock and distribute meat to the poor. In 2019, more than 2.4 million pilgrims took part in the Hajj.

Quoc Thien (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuoc-hanh-huong-hajj-o-thanh-dia-mecca-bat-dau-khoang-2-trieu-nguoi-tham-gia-post253349.html