Haj pilgrims descend on Makkah
FOR MANY MUSLIMS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM HAJ IS THE BIGGEST DREAM IN LIFE
Nearly two million faithful arrive in kingdom for pilgrimage, which runs from tomorrow to Friday |
Two million Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia this week for the Haj as the annual pilgrimage becomes increasingly hi-tech with apps to help the faithful navigate Islam’s holiest sites.
One of the five pillars of the world’s fastest-growing religion, the Haj is expected to draw two million people from around the globe this year.
By Thursday, more than 1.6 million people had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, which runs from tomorrow to Friday.
Thousands could be seen arriving in Makkah, with groups from different countries wearing distinct colours to set them apart.
Some pilgrims pushed their elderly relatives on wheelchairs while others stopped to call family members back home on video chat or buy ice cream as temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius.
Every Muslim is required to perform the Haj at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so. Many were visibly moved to be so close to Islam’s holiest site — the Kaaba, in the centre of Makkah’s Grand Mosque.
“I feel as light as a feather,” said Senegalese Fame Diouf, who came from Amsterdam.
“This was my dream from childhood,” said Raja Amjad Hussain, who made the trip to Makkah from Pakistan.
“For many Muslims this is the biggest, dream of life.”
No matter their race or nationality, for every pilgrim Haj begins with “ihram”, the donning of an all-white outfit.
For men, this is a seamless tunic worn over baggy pants; for women, a loose dress with only the face and hands exposed.
Pilgrims then perform rituals around the Kaaba and on the Mount Arafat plain east of Makkah. The Haj ends with Eid Al Adha, a three-day feast which starts with the “stoning of the devil”. This year, the Saudis have launched a “smart Haj” initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care.
Asefny, for example, is an app launched by Saudi Arabia’s Red Crescent to help pilgrims request emergency medical attention.
Authorities are able to locate those in need through the app.
The Saudi Haj ministry also runs the Manasikana app, which provides translation for pilgrims who do not speak Arabic or English.