Around three million pilgrims have gathered in Mina to commence the start of their Hajj undertakings. The pilgrims will spend the day and night in the tent valley before departing to Mount Arafat. This year, approximately 63 percent of Pakistani pilgrims have been allotted tents near the train route; therefore, most of them will choose to travel to Mount Arafat by train. The remaining pilgrims will travel by bus or on foot.
The Pakistan Hajj Mission has urged pilgrims to adhere to their scheduled departure timings to prevent overcrowding and to ensure proper safety measures are undertaken, given the hot weather conditions. While speaking to Radio Pakistan, correspondent Javed Iqbal reported from Makkah that the pilgrims will continue with their sacred journey to perform additional rituals, followed by the holy pilgrimage’s final stage of casting stones at the devil.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, attracts millions of Muslims worldwide every year. Due to Covid-19, the Saudi government has placed strict measures this year to reduce the number of foreign pilgrims and prioritize the safety of locals. Pilgrims must have been fully vaccinated, and their activities will be closely monitored to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
The Hajj pilgrimage signifies the Muslim’s fifth pillar of faith, where every Muslim is required to fulfil their obligation to perform the holy pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. The Saudi government has taken stringent measures to ensure public safety and facilitate a comfortable and spiritual experience for the pilgrims. As the pilgrimage continues, the world watches with admiration and a deep sense of spiritual devotion.
