Saudi Arabia readies for hajj as tensions persist in Gulf
88,550 Iranian pilgrims due to take part in the pilgrimage this year
MAKKAH: More than 2.5 million Muslims will tomorrow begin the annual hajj pilgrimage in the Islamic holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, against a backdrop of tensions in the Gulf. Crowds of worshippers have already begun to gather in Makkah in the days ahead of the hajj, the focal point of the Islamic calendar. “It’s the first time I’ve felt something so strongly - it’s striking,” said 40-year-old Indonesian pilgrim Sobar in rudimentary Arabic. More than 1.8 million visitors had arrived by midday local time on Tuesday, authorities said.
Crowds of faithful from across the world wore flowing white robes as they descended on the holy city located in the west of the ultra-conservative kingdom. The pilgrims will undertake religious rites that have remained unchanged since the founding of Islam 14 centuries ago. “Islam united us. We are all together... so that’s why I’m very happy,” said Leku Abibu, 46, a Ugandan mechanic who wore a beige salwar kameez. “I’m enjoying it here.”
This year’s hajj takes place amid tensions in the Gulf region exacerbated by a series of attacks on oil tankers, drone strikes and interceptions of maritime traffic on the high seas. Saudi, the Gulf’s leading power, and its ally Washington accuse Iran - Riyadh’s regional rival - of being behind the attacks and sabotage operations against commercial shipping. Tehran has denied responsibility. Despite the absence of diplomatic ties between Saudi and Iran, some 88,550 Iranian pilgrims are due to take part in the hajj this year, according to the Tasnim news agency.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims must perform it at least once in their lives if they can afford to. “There are all nations of the world, all languages. There are no differences between us,” said Nurul Jamal, a 61year-old pilgrim from India. Makkah, closed to non-Muslims, is home to the Kaaba - a cube structure draped in black cloth embroidered in gold located at the heart of the mosque.
The Great Mosque of Makkah with its Ottoman minarets sits amid skyscrapers that host upmarket malls and luxury hotels. Muslims face toward the Kaaba when praying the prescribed five times daily. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times and perform a number of sacred rites.
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