MAKKAH: With the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Monday, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have begun performing the ritual of Tawaf Al-Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival) on Sunday afternoon, signaling the commencement of their spiritual journey.
The Saudi authorities, in coordination with Hajj missions from various countries, have meticulously completed preparations and implemented seamless arrangements, ensuring a hassle-free experience for pilgrims as they embark on this life-transforming journey.
The streets of Makkah are now adorned with numerous tents, accommodating thousands of pilgrims from diverse nationalities. This year, Saudi Arabia has allowed Hajj to be performed without any restrictions on the number and ages of pilgrims, resulting in an influx of attendees. Pilgrims who arrived in Makkah on Sunday performed Tawaf Al-Qudum, an obligatory ritual of Hajj, before heading towards the sprawling tent city of Mina. Those who arrived earlier have been busy with final preparations, as they anticipate moving into the tent city on Sunday evening.
After three years of limited pilgrimages, Makkah is once again brimming with the presence of pilgrims. Bustling markets and restaurants, which were nearly empty during the pandemic, are now bustling with activity. The streets surrounding the Grand Mosque are filled with thousands of pilgrims, engaging in prayers on colorful carpets outside hotels and shops. Adorned in seamless white Ihram garments, pilgrims perform the circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba. Some carry umbrellas to shield themselves from the scorching sun, while others offer prayers and supplications on the white marble floors that emanate a musky fragrance.
Arrangements to Facilitate Hajj Pilgrims
Fire trucks with their distinct yellow colors are stationed throughout the Grand Mosque area, and police officers maintain checkpoints while patrolling on foot, carrying white umbrellas for shade. Security personnel spray water on exhausted pilgrims to help them cope with the heat, and some seek respite on the squares near the gates of the Grand Mosque. Inside the mosque, paramedics are stationed at various locations, while young volunteers line up with wheelchairs to assist the elderly and those with limited mobility.
Amidst the pilgrimage site, workers dressed in green distribute cold water bottles, while others carry cylinders on their backs, spraying refreshing mist. Many pilgrims proudly display the names and flags of their countries on their clothes, with participants from Asia and Africa wearing distinctive colored abayas.
Starting Sunday evening, pilgrims will make their way in large numbers to Mina, located approximately 5 kilometers from the Grand Mosque, where they will spend the Day of Tarwiyah in their designated tents. During their stay, pilgrims will perform the Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers in shortened form at their designated times. The Maghrib prayer will be performed as usual, without any modifications.
Throughout the day and night in Mina, pilgrims will engage in supplications and prayers within their tents. Upon performing the Fajr prayer on Tuesday, they will proceed to Arafat for the pivotal ‘Wuqoof Arafat’ ritual, which represents one of the four pillars of Hajj and marks the climax of the annual pilgrimage.
This year, more than two million pilgrims are expected to participate in Hajj, more than double the number of pilgrims in 2022 but fewer than the figures recorded in 2019. Over 1.62 million pilgrims from outside the Kingdom have already arrived, as announced by Saudi authorities on Friday evening, while the exact number of domestic pilgrims has yet to be disclosed.
All ministries, government agencies, private organizations, and security personnel have diligently prepared to ensure that pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and comfort. Despite the large number of pilgrims traveling to the holy sites, both by vehicles and on foot, thousands of officers from various security wings will monitor and facilitate their movements along the continuously improved roads, tunnels, and bridges developed by the Saudi government over the years.
The Ministry of Health has prepared 32 hospitals and 140 health centers, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and services, to provide exceptional medical care to the guests of ALLAH in Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. Numerous health facilities, mobile clinics, and ambulances have been deployed, with 32,000 paramedics available to address the needs of the pilgrims.
