‘Unbelievable feeling’: Over one million pilgrims start Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

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‘Unbelievable feeling’: Over one million pilgrims start Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

The journey begins for Hajj pilgrims as COVID-19 restrictions ease

Published: July 07, 2022 16:29 Agencies

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Muslim worshippers and pilgrims (white) pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca. — One million pilgrims from across the globe amassed on Thursday in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the initial rites of the Hajj, marking the largest Islamic pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic. One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be undertaken by all able-bodied pilgrims who have the means at least once in their lives. Image Credit: AFP

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Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on July 6, 2022, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. - One million fully vaccinated Muslims, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed at this year's hajj in the city of Mecca, a big rise after two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to policies to stop the spread of infection. — While this year's attendance is far below the pre-pandemic influx of 2.5 million pilgrims, it represents a significant step closer to normal after the kingdom restricted the event to a small number of residents for the past two years. Above: Pilgrims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Image Credit: AFP

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Muslim pilgrims receive water bottles outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on July 5, 2022. - One million people, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed to participate in this year's hajj -- a key pillar of Islam that all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once -- after two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic. — Pilgrims receive water bottles outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: AFP

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Muslim pilgrims chat as they leave the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam's five pillars. — Pilgrims chat as they leave the Grand Mosque, in Mecca. Image Credit: AP

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Water mist is sprayed as Saudi policemen stand alert at a check point in the Arafat tent camp, in the Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Saudi Arabia is expected to receive one million Muslims to attend Hajj pilgrimage, which will begin on July 7, after two years of limiting the numbers because coronavirus pandemic. — Water mist is sprayed as Saudi policemen stand alert at a check point in the Arafat tent camp. Image Credit: AP

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Muslim pilgrims arrive in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca. — Saudi authorities have introduced many technological tools to help pilgrims on their journey. Image Credit: AFP

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Pilgrims arrive to their camp in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca on July 7, 2022 during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. — The Hajj officially begins on Wednesday. Above: Pilgrims arrive to their camp in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca. Image Credit: AFP

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Women pilgrims arrive to their camp in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca on July 7, 2022 during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. — The Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey. Pilgrims spend five days carrying out a set of rituals intended to bring them closer to God. Above: Women pilgrims arrive to their camp in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca. Image Credit: AFP

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Muslim pilgrims arrive in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca on July 7, 2022 during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. — The pilgrims, dressed in simple robes will spend night in tents in Mina, seven kilometres (four miles) from Mecca’s Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site, where they circled the imposing black Kaaba at the start of the rituals on Wednesday. Image Credit: AFP

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