MAKKAH: After two years of significant disruption brought on by the COVID outbreak, thousands of pilgrims began arriving in the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Around 1 million Muslims are expected to attend the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage season.
Hundreds of people completed the first ritual of the Hajj, which entails walking in a circle around the Kaaba, the holy building at the centre of Makkah's Grand Mosque, while wearing white robes and some carrying umbrellas to protect themselves from the hot desert sun.
Grace to God... The emotions I'm experiencing right now are beyond words, said Egyptian pilgrim Ahmed Sayed Mahmoud. I'm really delighted to be in the Grand Mosque and on the grounds of the two holiest mosques.
This year, Saudi Arabia, the country of Makkah and Medina, which are among Islam's holiest sites, welcomed back foreign pilgrims to complete the Hajj.
In the previous two years, the yearly pilgrimage was only attended by a small number of Saudi nationals and residents due to COVID-19's devastating effects on the world economy and travel restrictions.
Authorities have stated that only one million people—less than half of pre-pandemic levels—can participate in the 2022 season, and access is only permitted for pilgrims between the ages of 18 and 65 who have received a complete course of immunisation against the virus and do not have any chronic illnesses.
Information regarding Muslim World and Pakistan.
