Hajj Pilgrims Flock to Mina for Annual Pilgrimage
Mina witnessed a remarkable influx of hundreds of thousands of Hajj pilgrims on Monday as they embarked on the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with Saudi officials predicting record-breaking attendance. The faithful, after completing the ritual circumambulation of the Ka’abah at Makkah’s Grand Mosque, set out for Mina, located approximately seven kilometers away, braving the scorching heat.
Arrival in Mina
Clad in robes and sandals, and shielding themselves with umbrellas from the relentless sun, the Hajj pilgrims journeyed on foot or crowded onto air-conditioned buses provided by Saudi authorities. Upon reaching Mina, they settled into white tents, forming the world’s largest encampment, where they will spend the night before the pinnacle of the Hajj on Tuesday.
High-Point of the Hajj: Mount Arafat
Tuesday will witness the faithful congregating at Mount Arafat, where it is believed that the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) delivered his final sermon. Hajj Pilgrims expressed their overwhelming joy, with Jamila Hammoudi, a 62-year-old Moroccan school teacher, stating, “My dream has come true. I will pray for everyone,” upon her arrival at the tented city.
Safety Measures and Increased Attendance
Saudi officials anticipate this year’s Hajj, one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, to be the largest in history, following attendance figures of 2.5 million in 2019. Attendance in 2020, 2021, and 2022 was restricted due to the COVID pandemic. To ensure the safety of Hajj pilgrims, helicopters and AI-equipped drones have been deployed to monitor traffic flow towards Mina, a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains.
Introduction of Advanced Transportation
In addition, a fleet of self-driving buses, accommodating up to 11 passengers, is operating between the various ritual sites, including Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, Mina, and Muzdalifah. These advancements aim to enhance the transportation experience and efficiency for the Hajj pilgrims.
Challenges: Heat and Health Precautions
As the Hajj follows the lunar calendar, one of the major concerns this year is the intense heat, especially after the removal of maximum age restrictions. Habbia Abdel Nasser, a Moroccan pilgrim, required immediate medical attention near the Grand Mosque due to the scorching temperatures. The health ministry has advised the use of umbrellas during the day and urged the sick and elderly to remain indoors around midday to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Medical Facilities and Safety Preparations
To address potential health issues, four hospitals and 26 clinics are prepared to treat ailing Hajj pilgrims in Mina. Furthermore, over 190 ambulances have been deployed to swiftly respond to any medical emergencies.
Rituals at Mount Arafat and Conclusion of Hajj
On Tuesday, Hajj pilgrims will engage in prayers and recite the Quran for several hours at Mount Arafat before spending the night nearby. The following day, they will collect pebbles and participate in the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual by hurling them at three massive concrete walls. The final leg of the Hajj brings the pilgrims back to Makkah, where they will perform the final circumambulation of the Ka’abah.
Fulfilling a Sacred Duty
Performing the Hajj is an obligatory duty for all capable Muslims, and approximately 1.6 million foreigners had already arrived for the pilgrimage by Friday evening. Despite temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius, Salim Ibrahim, a 39-year-old Nigerian pilgrim, expressed his unwavering determination, stating, “It is an experience that is worth it. Even if the heat becomes more intense, I will repeat the Hajj again.”
Key Details:
- Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered in Mina for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
- The pilgrimage could potentially break attendance records, according to Saudi officials.
- Pilgrims walked or took buses from Makkah’s Grand Mosque to Mina, enduring the intense heat.
- Mina is home to the world’s largest encampment, where pilgrims spend the night in white tents.
- Mount Arafat is the high-point of the Hajj, where prayers and Quran recitation take place.
- Safety measures include the use of helicopters, AI-equipped drones, and self-driving buses.
- Heat is a significant challenge, with temperatures reaching up to 46 degrees Celsius.
- Health precautions, such as using umbrellas and staying indoors during midday, have been advised.
- Medical facilities, including hospitals and clinics, are ready to assist ailing pilgrims in Mina.
- The Hajj is a sacred duty for capable Muslims, with approximately 1.6 million foreigners participating in this year’s pilgrimage.
Published in PakWeb, June 27, 2023.
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