Millions of Muslims are making the pilgrimage to Mecca

2023-06-27 08:39:00, Aktualitet CNA

On Monday, the pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca, the so-called Hajj, began for the first time after the corona without restrictions. Millions of people from all over the world are expected.

This year's pilgrimage to Mecca began this Monday evening (June 26). For the first time since the corona pandemic, the pilgrimage, which in Arabic is called Hajj, is again being held without restrictions and without special conditions due to the corona virus.

According to the Saudi Ministry, about 2.6 million Muslims are expected in the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (who lived in the years 570-632), the holiest city of the Islamic religion. Until Saturday (July 1), the prescribed rituals will be performed there at the Kaaba shrine and at various places near Mecca.

The high number of visitors reflects both the economic openness and the cautious political openness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This year, for the first time, women are also allowed to perform the Hajj without having a male guardian with them.

In recent years, the number of participants had dropped drastically

Before the corona pandemic, about 2.5 million Muslims from all over the world participated in the Hajj in 2019. In the two years that followed, Saudi Arabia drastically reduced the number of participants, due to the corona virus. Only 10,000 believers were admitted to Hajj in 2020; In 2021, there were 60,000. In addition, strict conditions applied and only believers living in Saudi Arabia and aged 18 to 65 were accepted.

In 2022, nearly 900,000 pilgrims were allowed to travel to Mecca and visit the Prophet Muhammad's tomb in Medina, including about 780,000 Muslims from abroad. But only if they were under 65 years old, if they were vaccinated and could show a negative test to the corona virus.

"The greatest pilgrimage in history"

Hajj ceremonies in Saudi Arabia began Sunday morning with the circumambulation of the Kaaba, the black-veiled cube in Mecca to which millions of people turn each day to pray.

"This year we are witnessing the largest pilgrimage in history," said an official of the Ministry of Hajj on Sunday. "The number will exceed 2.5 million pilgrims. By late Friday evening, 1.6 million had arrived from many countries around the world.

The Feast of Sacrifice begins on Wednesday

The Islamic holiday of sacrifice begins on Wednesday, the third day of the Hajj. It is the biggest holiday of the Islamic religion and lasts four days. Many Muslims around the world slaughter the Qurban, a ritual reminiscent of the sacrifice of Ibrahim (Abraham) mentioned in the Koran and the Bible, who was ready to sacrifice his son at God's command.

The pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the "five pillars of Islam" and is considered a central obligation of this religion. According to Islamic teachings, every adult believer must make this pilgrimage at least once in his life, if health and conditions allow it./ DW