One million pilgrims leave to perform Hajj

MAKKAH: Millions of pilgrims from all over the world have started leaving for Mina, where the world’s largest tent city will be located. This year, more than one million pilgrims will perform the Hajj.

Hajj pilgrims from all over the world will leave Mecca for Mina today, the night between the 7th and 8th of Zul-Hajj, where the world’s largest tent city will have modern facilities for the pilgrims after a long wait of two years. 

Pilgrims will arrive at Arafat Square on Thursday, 9th Dhuʻl-Hijjah, perform Zuhr and Asr prayers in their tents and stay in Arafat Square until sunset where the pilgrims will arrange special prayers and worships in the presence of God Almighty.

As soon as the sun sets on 9th Dhuʻl-Hijjah, the pilgrims will leave for Muzdalifah without performing Maghrib prayers and will perform Maghrib and Isha prayers together. 

Pilgrims will perform prayers and supplications after the Fajr prayers on Friday, the 10th of Dhuʻl-Hijjah, until sunrise, which is called Waqf Muzdalifah. After that, Zaif-ur-Rehman Rami will return to Mina for Jamrat. He will hit 7 pebbles on the big Jamrat in the Jamrat complex.

It should be noted that after Rami Jamrat, there is a sacrificial process, after which the pilgrims are freed from the restrictions of ihram by shaving their hair (throat). After the throat, the main task of the pilgrims is Tawaf Ziarat. Pilgrims will return to Mina after paying the dues and completing the cycle of Sa’i. The night will stay there and after the time of fall on the next 2 days ie 11th and 12th Dhuʻl-Hijjah, the three stones will be hit by seven pebbles.

After this, the pilgrims will leave the limits of Mina before sunset on the 12th of Dhu’l-Hijjah or they will leave for their places of residence after Rami on the 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah.

It may be recalled that for the first time since the Corona epidemic this year, one million pilgrims are enjoying the blessings of Hajj, including eight and a half million foreigners. The Hajj Security Force says that all arrangements for peace and security have been completed on the most important occasion. All necessary arrangements have been made on the highways leading to Mecca and the holy shrines (Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat) and the Hajj sites.