The sacred journey of Hajj began as more than 1.8 million pilgrims from around the world entered in the tent city of Minah before afternoon on Friday.
This pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings globally, sees over 1.5 million international visitors join alongside more than 300,000 local pilgrims.
Tawaf Qudum marks the first significant step in the Hajj rituals. Pilgrims walk around the Kaaba, a profound act that signifies their devotion and begins their spiritual journey. Following this, they travel to Mina, a temporary city set up with tents to accommodate the massive influx of worshippers.
Transporting these pilgrims is a monumental task, involving over 12,000 buses. Despite the provision of buses, many pilgrims choose to walk from the Kaaba to Mina, embracing the physical aspect of their spiritual journey.
Mina becomes a bustling hub as pilgrims continue to arrive throughout the day and night, right up until the afternoon prayer tomorrow. This movement marks the start of their sacred rites, leading up to the significant ritual of staying in Arafah, which will take tomorrow.
