Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims moved on Wednesday, July 29, to Mina on the first leg of their journey of a lifetime, preparing for the climax of a downsized Hajj when they ascend Mount `Arafat.
From early hours on Wednesday, around 1000 pilgrims from people living in Saudi Arabia embarked on their trek to Mina in the first leg of their five-day journey.
Spirituality and peace were in the air in the sprawling tent city surrounded by (Mountain of Light) and other hills, as pilgrims reverberated with chants of “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (O God, here I am answering your call).
A video of Tawaaf taking place at Masjid Al Haram during #Hajj1441
Posted by Haramain on Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Once in their fireproof tents, the faithful, clad in the white ihram garb, busy themselves reciting the Noble Qur’an and praying.
“I would like to thank the Saudi government for this opportunity at such a difficult time,” Zelkin, an Azerbaijani pilgrim who lives and works in Jubail, told Arab News.
“I know it’s really hard when there is coronavirus disease everywhere, to make this kind of arrangement in such a short time, so I couldn’t believe this.
“It’s a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. It’s not my luck, it’s Allah’s will and you should follow his will.”
The Day of Tarwiyah
Pilgrims performed Tawaf after fajr prayer earlier today as they kicked off hajj rituals.
The Day of Tarwiyah (literally known as fetching water) marks the beginning of Hajj. There are no major rituals, so the pilgrims will spend their time praying and reflecting until sunrise on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, the pilgrims will descend the Mount `Arafat where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his last sermon more than 14 centuries ago.
The pilgrims will then return to Mina after spending the night in Muzdalifah.
They will take part in the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamrat Al-Aqaba and sacrifice animals to mark the four-day `Eid Al-Adha, which starts Friday.