MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — It’s a scene that stirs hope — and aid — for Muslims all over the world.
A million pilgrims from throughout the globe amassed on Thursday within the holy metropolis of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to carry out the preliminary rites of the hajj, marking the most important Islamic pilgrimage because the coronavirus pandemic upended the annual occasion — a key pillar of Islam.
The hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all Muslims bodily and financially in a position to make the journey, which takes the trustworthy alongside a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years in the past. Pilgrims spend 5 days finishing up a set of rituals supposed to carry them nearer to God.
That features praying across the cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam. On the middle of the Grand Mosque’s courtyard on Thursday, 1000’s of unmasked pilgrims circled the Kaaba.
The crowds, visibly thinner than ordinary, moved counter-clockwise across the granite constructing in a blur, their hearts tilting towards the construction meant to represent the oneness of God in Islam. Wherever they’re on the planet, observant Muslims face the Kaaba to wish day by day.
Pilgrims appeared to throw COVID-19 warning to the wind this yr as they thronged the Grand Mosque — in sharp distinction to the social distancing and masks necessities of the previous two years.
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However there have been nonetheless indicators of vigilance. Sometimes, worshippers would struggle the crowds for an opportunity to the touch and kiss the black stone on the Kaaba’s jap nook, however the authorities banned this apply for the third yr. Saudi authorities additionally distributed bottles of water from the holy Zamzam effectively as an alternative of permitting pilgrims to drink from cups on the mosque. Hundreds of medical staff had been readily available to help these in want.
This yr, the hajj is open to simply 1 million overseas and home pilgrims who’ve been absolutely vaccinated towards the coronavirus, examined damaging for COVID-19 and are between 18 and 65 years previous. Authorities estimate 85% have arrived from overseas.
Whereas this yr’s attendance is much beneath the pre-pandemic inflow of two.5 million pilgrims, it represents a major step nearer to regular after the dominion restricted the occasion to a small variety of Muslim residents for the previous two years.
The ritual was virtually scrapped in its entirety in 2020, when as few as 1,000 residents had been permitted to participate. Some 60,000 residents attended final yr. The unprecedented restrictions despatched shockwaves by way of the Muslim world and devastated many believers, who usually save up and look forward to years to make the pilgrimage.
Though not within the shadow of the pandemic, this hajj is happening amid Russia’s battle on Ukraine — a battle that could be 1000’s of miles from the houses of many Muslims however has despatched the costs of staple meals hovering and unfold distress the world over.
This yr’s hajj additionally showcases de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s newest efforts to loosen social restrictions and remodel the dominion. Saudi Arabia formally started permitting ladies to carry out the hajj and not using a male guardian, or “mahram,” final yr.
The hajj in Islam is supposed to be an excellent equalizer and unifier amongst Muslims. Pilgrims put on easy clothes: For males, it’s typical to put on a white draping garment, whereas ladies put on conservative gown and headscarves, forgoing make-up, nail polish and fragrance to attract nearer to God.
However even Mecca can not escape the world’s wealth gaps: The well-heeled might pay some $3,000 an evening for five-star accommodations overlooking the Kaaba. For most individuals, nevertheless, the pilgrimage means sleeping in easy lodging or on the bottom across the mosque to carry out day by day prayers forward of the hajj.
With many extra individuals making use of to carry out the hajj every year than the dominion can accommodate, the Saudi authorities controls the circulate of tourists by way of annual quotas based mostly on every nation’s Muslim inhabitants.
The visa rules have grown stricter after lethal incidents lately. In 2015, a number of thousand pilgrims had been crushed to demise in a stampede. This yr, these quotas had been sharply lowered. Indonesia despatched simply over 100,000 individuals, the world’s largest contingent. The U.S. despatched over 9,500 residents.
Shiite powerhouse Iran, Saudi Arabia’s regional foe that in 2016 barred its residents from making the pilgrimage amid an escalating sectarian rivalry, despatched 39,000, lower than half of its attendance in 2019. Iranian Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s particular envoy for the hajj didn’t obtain a visa as a result of he’s over 65, Iranian media reported.
As tensions eased between the rivals amid regional negotiations and a ceasefire in Yemen, hajj officers from the nations met final month for the primary time in years.
Though the pandemic is much from over, with tons of new infections a day within the kingdom, the federal government is glad of the inflow. The occasion is a crucial supply of status and tourism for Saudi Arabia.
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DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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