More than 1.5 million Muslims from around the world have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, officials said on Monday. The pilgrims have been pouring into the country from different parts of the world against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire and renewed possibility of conflict escalation between the US and Iran.
Some pilgrims from neighbouring Middle Eastern countries expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for allowing the Hajj to proceed despite the prevailing tensions in the region.
“I am in a state of blessing and happiness. It's an indescribable feeling, truly. I mean, thank God, I am in a blessing,” said an Egyptian pilgrim while performing the rituals.
For pilgrims, Hajj is a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. Pilgrims perform the Hajj rituals over several days.
Meanwhile, temperatures in the region are soaring. Despite the extreme heat, pilgrims were seen performing the Tawaf (circumambulation) ritual, which is mandatory to complete the Hajj.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump said the Iran deal was not yet finalised and it could take days or weeks to reach an agreement that could end the conflict between the two sides. He described it as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” that still must be finalised by the United States, Iran, and other countries involved in the talks.
In India, home to a large Muslim minority, pilgrimage planning has proceeded largely as normal, but high fuel prices have pushed up travel costs for pilgrims.
On Tuesday, in what is considered the pinnacle of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims will stand on the plain of Arafat, where they praise God, plead for forgiveness, and make supplications.
Many carry prayer requests from loved ones and raise their hands in worship with tears streaming down their faces.
Also read: Calm before the storm: Iran-US tensions rise as Hajj nears end
Follow us
