Massive crowds circle Kaaba as Hajj begins in Saudi Arabia
Vast crowds of robed Muslim faithful walked solemn circles around the Kaaba, the black cube at Makkah’s Grand Mosque on Sunday to begin the biggest hajj pilgrimage in several years, in the heat of the Saudi summer, AFP reported.
Islam’s holiest site is expected to host more than 2 million worshippers from 160 countries during the annual rites that could break attendance records, with 1.6 million foreigners already arrived by late on Friday.
“This year, we will witness the largest Hajj pilgrimage in history,” if things go according to plan, predicted an official with the Saudi ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
“The numbers will exceed 2.5 million pilgrims,” added the official.
The hajj began early on Sunday with the “tawaf” — the circumambulation of the Kaaba, the large cubic structure draped in black cloth with gold trimmings that Muslims around the world pray towards every day.
“I am living the most beautiful days of my life,” said Saeed Abdel Azim, a 65-year-old Egyptian performing the ritual. “The dream has come true,” added the retiree, who had saved for 20 years to pay the thousands of dollars needed to take part.
On Sunday afternoon, pilgrims started moving to Mina, about 5km from the Grand Mosque, ahead of the Hajj’s climax at Mount Arafat.
Mina, the world’s largest tent city, readied to receive the influx of pilgrims, with food supplies brought in and security forces deployed around the area.
More worshippers are expected to head to Mina on Monday, as a vibrant atmosphere takes hold of the tented city with the arrival of pilgrims by foot or via airconditioned buses.
Outside the Grand Mosque, thousands prayed on colourful carpets that adorned the pavement, with male pilgrims wearing simple white robes. The area was dotted with ambulances, mobile clinics and fire trucks.
Thousands of paramedics were on standby inside the Grand Mosque.
Saudi authorities said more than 32,000 health workers will be on hand to treat cases of heatstroke, dehydration and exhaustion.
This year’s will be the biggest since 2019, before the Covid pandemic, when about 2.5 million people took part.
Saudi businessman Samir al-Zafni said all his hotels in Mecca and Madinah are at full capacity until the first week of July.
“This year there is not a single vacant bed in our group of 67 hotels,” he told AFP.
Waiting for a car to take him out of the vicinity of grand mosque, Moroccan merchant Abdullah Al-Haqouni, 65, said he was struggling with the temperature.
“I am very tired. The heat is unbearable,” he said, carrying a green umbrella. “God help us.”