More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears Over 1.51 million foreign pilgrims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of the Islamic lunar calendar’s 12th month. The gathering took place amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. Saudi authorities reported a slight increase in the number of foreign participants compared to last year, with 11,000 more pilgrims joining the event. Despite concerns about the potential resumption of hostilities, the pilgrimage proceeded under a fragile ceasefire that took effect last month. Before the ceasefire, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors in retaliation for US and Israeli airstrikes. The conflict resulted in casualties, including two civilians in the central city of al-Kharj and a US service member stationed at the nearby Prince Sultan Air Base. Saudi officials emphasized that air defense forces are responsible for protecting the skies over holy sites and addressing aerial threats to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Pilgrims faced extreme weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 45C (113F) on the first day of the Hajj. The rituals began with pilgrims heading to Mecca’s Grand Mosque, where they performed tawaf, a practice involving walking around the cube-shaped Kaaba seven times. Following this, they traveled to Mina, 5 kilometers from Mecca, to spend the night in tents before proceeding to Mount Arafat. The day spent praying at Mount Arafat is considered the spiritual climax of the pilgrimage, as pilgrims are believed to reenact the final sermon delivered by the Prophet Muhammad. Many pilgrims expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.#us #iran #israel #saudi_arabia #hajj_pilgrimage
Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims Begin Hajj Amid Regional Tensions More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims have commenced the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, marking one of the most significant religious events in the world. The gathering takes place against a backdrop of ongoing regional tensions, including a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war and a global energy crisis exacerbated by recent conflicts. Pilgrims from across the globe have arrived in the kingdom, with officials reporting that over 1.5 million have entered by Friday, and additional arrivals are anticipated in the coming days. The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a deeply spiritual journey for millions of Muslims. For many, reaching Mecca represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage, describing it as an indescribable feeling of blessing and happiness. “Thank God, I am in a blessing,” she said while in Mecca on Sunday. The pilgrimage’s physical demands are evident as pilgrims navigate the sweltering heat of Mecca, circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. Some use umbrellas and handheld fans to cope with the intense temperatures, while volunteers distribute water and misting fans to help manage the conditions. Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist from the United States, described the experience as a “hard reset” for many, noting that the journey is both physically taxing and spiritually transformative. “This Hajj is, in effect, a hard reset for me,” he said from Mina. “It is for many pilgrims the most difficult thing they will ever do in their lives. But nothing this meaningful is ever going to be easy.#mecca #strait_of_hormuz #saudi_arabia #hajj_pilgrimage #kaaba
