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More than 2 million faithful in Makkah for Hajj pilgrimage

Pilgrimage takes faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)



Muslim pilgrims make their way down on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, August 10, 2019.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Amr Nabil

Makkah, Saudi Arabia: More than 2 million pilgrims were gathered in the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform initial rites of the hajj, the pilgrimage that takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) some 1,400 years ago.

The hajj in Islam is meant to be a great equaliser and unifier, with pilgrims shedding overt displays of wealth and materialism.

In this Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019 file photo, Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque, during thHajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Over 2 million Muslims from around the world began the five-day hajj pilgrimage on Friday. On the first day of the hajj, Muslims circle the Kaaba counter-clockwise seven times while reciting supplications to God, then walk between the two hills traveled by Hagar.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File

All male pilgrims wear simple terry cloth white garments and women don conservative dress and headscarves, forgoing makeup, nail polish and perfume in an effort to draw closer to God and engage in intense worship for the five-day hajj.

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On Saturday, August 10, pilgrims headed early to Mount Arafat, an area about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Makkah.

Muslim pilgrims offer dawn prayers on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, ahead of sunrise near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, August 10, 2019.
Image Credit: AP

The more than 2 million pilgrims stand shoulder to shoulder for an emotional day of repentance and supplication at Mount Arafat for the peak of the annual Hajj.

Muslim pilgrims pray as they watch thousands of pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Amr Nabil

Mount Arafat is the site where the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) delivered his final sermon, calling for equality and unity.

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Muslim pilgrims gather at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on August 7, 2019.
Image Credit: Getty Images / AFP

Earlier, on Friday, thousands of pilgrims circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in Makkah, Islam's holiest site. They circle the Kaaba counter-clockwise, their hearts tilting toward the structure that's meant to symbolise the monotheistic principle of the oneness of God in Islam.

Muslims around the world pray toward the Kaaba daily, using compasses to help them pray in its direction.

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 10, 2019.
Image Credit: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Large, diverse gathering

The Hajj is one of the largest and most diverse gatherings in the world, drawing more than 1.8 million people from around the world this year, according to Saudi officials.

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Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 10, 2019.
Image Credit: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Several hundred thousand more pilgrims are Saudi residents or citizens. Last year, 2.4 million people took part in the Hajj, with similar numbers expected for 2019.

"I am very happy now. It is the first time I am here in Mecca. I am very excited," Siti Haslina Yousof, a Malaysian pilgrim in Makkah, said.

A Muslim pilgrim prays on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Amr Nabil

The US consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia said some 20,000 US citizens and residents were expected to take part in this year's Hajj.

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Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia August 8, 2019.
Image Credit: REUTERS/Waleed Ali

"I cannot express my feelings. The atmosphere is spiritual, still and tranquil. We hope Yemen will be united for good," said Ali Ahmed Al-Sudani, a Yemeni pilgrim who said he was praying for unity in his war-torn country.

Saudi King Salman invited as his guests to the Hajj this year 200 survivors and relatives of victims of a shooting spree in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a white gunman opened fire and killed 51 people in two mosques.

Faith journey

Those on the Hajj view the pilgrimage as an opportunity to strengthen one's faith, erase past sins and start anew. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, required of all to perform once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.

Pilgrims pray near the Al-Safa mountain, at the Grand Mosque, during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, August 9, 2019.
Image Credit: AP
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For the well-heeled, the pilgrimage includes a partial stay in towering five-star hotels with lavish buffets overlooking the Kaaba.

But for most, it means sleeping in simple accommodations or even spending weeks sleeping on the ground around Makkah's Grand Mosque to perform daily prayers and rites near the Kaaba ahead of the hajj.

Pilgrims eat as they begin gathering in Arafat to mark haj's most important day, Day of Arafat, during their Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 9, 2019.
Image Credit: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Many pilgrims will save for years to perform the Hajj. Charities and wealthier people often also help fund those unable to cover the costs.

In addition to being financially costly, the Hajj is physically demanding, involving much walking and travel between various points along the route.

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To ease the journey, the kingdom recently unveiled the first phase of a new high-speed train connecting pilgrims between holy sites in the cities of Makkah and Medina. The kingdom also has a new e-visa system in place for pilgrims.

Pilgrims on their way to Makkah walk past the Haramain High-Speed Railway train in the holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have arrived in the kingdom to participate in the annual hajj pilgrimage, which starts Friday, a ritual required of all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their life.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Amr Nabil

Still, the Hajj remains a precarious journey.

To curb the potential for a viral outbreak of any kind, Saudi Arabia this year stopped issuing visas to people from Congo, citing the Ebola outbreak there.

By Friday evening, most pilgrims went to Mina, where they will spend the night in air-conditioned tents.

"We feel very excited and will pray for all people," said Malaysian pilgrim, Farida bin Abdulrahman.

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