Huge crowds of pilgrims started praying on Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat early on Friday, the high point of the biggest Haj pilgrimage since the pandemic forced drastic cuts in numbers for two years in a row.
The worshippers, capped at one million including 850,000 from abroad chosen by lottery, spent the night at camps in the valley of Mina, seven kilometres from Makkah’s Grand Mosque.
In the early hours of Friday, they converged on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) delivered his final sermon, for the most important of the Haj rituals.
They will stay all day at the site, praying and reciting the Quran.
Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters
After sunset, they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they will sleep under the stars before performing the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ceremony on Saturday.
This year’s Haj is taking place against the backdrop of a resurgence of Covid-19 in the region, with some Gulf countries tightening restrictions to keep outbreaks in check.
All participants were required to submit proof of full vaccination and negative PCR tests. Upon reaching Mina on Thursday, they were handed small bags containing masks and sanitisers.
Pilgrims walk under sprinklers as they make their way for prayers outside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah. — AFP
The Haj, usually one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, is among the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives.
In 2019, some 2.5 million Muslims from around the world took part, as in previous years.
But the coronavirus outbreak has since forced Saudi authorities to dramatically downsize the Haj. Just 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents of the kingdom participated in 2021, up from a few thousand in 2020.
Sun and tears
The pilgrimage can be physically draining even in ideal conditions, but worshippers this year have faced an added challenge: scorching sun and temperatures rising to 42 degrees Celsius.
Islam forbids men from wearing hats once the rites start, and many have been seen shielding themselves with umbrellas, prayer mats and even, in one case, a small bucket filled with water.
Women, meanwhile, are obliged to cover their heads with scarves.
On the mountain Friday morning, many of the worshippers wept as they prayed, and carried umbrellas in preparation for the high temperatures later in the day.
Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters
Extreme conditions
“We can tolerate (the heat). We are here for the Haj. The more we tolerate, the more our pilgrimage is accepted,” Laila, a 64-year-old Iraqi pilgrim who gave only her first name, told AFP in Makkah before reaching the mount.
Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. — Reuters
Saudi officials have touted their preparations for the extreme conditions, highlighting the hundreds of hospital beds allocated for heat stroke patients and the “large number of misting fans” they have provided.
A truck has also been allocated to distribute umbrellas, water bottles and small fans.
Nevertheless, the National Centre for Meteorology, which has set up an office in Mina, is sending warnings to pilgrims on their mobile phones, urging them to avoid outdoor rituals at certain times of the day, especially at noon.
Pilgrims pray on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj. — Reuters
On Saturday, pilgrims will take part in the “stoning”, the last major ritual of this year’s Haj.
This ritual has in past years led to deadly stampedes, as hundreds of thousands of participants converge on a small space.
After the stoning ritual, pilgrims return to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform a final “tawaf” or circling of the Kaaba. Eidul Azha marks the end of Haj.
An explosion in the Shahrag neighborhood of the Harnai region of Balochistan on Friday claimed the lives of at least 11 persons and injured a number more.
Police say the explosion happened close to a car that was transporting coal mine personnel. They said that numerous injured people are in critical condition.
After arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers began gathering evidence.
Eleven laborers were confirmed dead in the explosion by the deputy commissioner of Harnai. Swat and Shangla were responsible for the majority of the fatalities and injuries.
Emine Erdoğan, the First Lady of Turkey, has underlined the pressing need for international environmental action. Speaking at the Environmental Sustainability event in Islamabad, Emine Erdoğan emphasized the two nations’ long-standing friendship. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz also addressed the event.
In five separate encounters in the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces have killed thirteen Khwarij. ISPR reports that security personnel carried out an intelligence-based operation in the general vicinity of Khulachi, Dera Ismail Khan District, in response to the reported presence of Khwarij. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij Location, resultantly, Five Khwarij including Kharji Shah Gul Alias Rohani were sent to hell. In two separate encounters in north Waziristan District, fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in general areas Dosali and Tappi. Resultantly, five Khwarij were effectively neutralized by own troops.
In another encounter that took place in Lakki Marwat District, Two Khwarij were sent to hell.