Muslims from around the world have gathered in Saudi Arabia for this year’s annual hajj pilgrimage, with over two million people from 160 countries expected to participate in the religious journey. However, the ongoing conflict in Sudan has prevented many of its Muslim population from travelling to Mecca for the pilgrimage.
According to a Sudanese pilgrim, Badr Ibrahim, the war has made it difficult for people in the capital and cities to make the pilgrimage, with only a small group of pilgrims coming from the rural areas. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called for the suspension of hostilities in Sudan ahead of Eid-al-Adha, the most important Muslim holiday that marks the end of the hajj pilgrimage.
Despite the challenges faced by Sudan, Saudi officials remain confident that this year’s hajj will be able to reach pre-pandemic levels of participation. The lifting of the requirement for women to be accompanied by male guardians has contributed to an increase in the number of female pilgrims, making this year’s hajj the most significant in recent times.
As Muslims worldwide come together to participate in the hajj, the conflict in Sudan serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by some communities when it comes to practising their faith. The importance of unity and support for those who are struggling cannot be understated, especially during one of the most important religious events in the world.
