Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims this year to exceed 2023, when more than 1.8 million people performed Hajj, approaching pre-pandemi...
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca ahead of the start of the Hajj later this week, as the annual
Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims this year to exceed 2023, when more than 1.8 million people performed Hajj, approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage. Saudi authorities control the flow of pilgrims through quotas, allowing each country one pilgrim for every thousand Muslim citizens.
On Tuesday, pilgrims thronged the Grand Mosque in Mecca, performing a ritual circuit walking seven times around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure inside the mosque that is considered Islam’s holiest site. They wore ihrams, two unstitched sheets of white cloth that resemble a shroud.
At night, the vast marble court around the Kaaba was packed with the faithful, walking nearly shoulder to shoulder and often jostling with barricades set up by security forces to direct the giant flows of people in and around the Grand Mosque.Pilgrims leave after offering prayers outside at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Pilgrims do the circumambulation, known as “Tawaf” in Arabic, upon arriving in Mecca.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
First Syrian jet in over a decade transports Muslim worshippers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimageFor the first time in over a decade, 270 Syrians have traveled on a direct flight from Damascus to Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Syrian Transportation Ministry.
Read more »
First Syrian jet in over a decade transports Muslim worshippers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimageFor the first time in over a decade, 270 Syrians have traveled on a direct flight from Damascus to Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Syrian Transportation Ministry
Read more »
First Syrian jet in over a decade transports Muslim worshippers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimageFor the first time in over a decade, 270 Syrians have traveled on a direct flight from Damascus to Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Syrian Transportation Ministry.
Read more »
First Syrian jet in over a decade transports Muslim worshippers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimageFor the first time in over a decade, 270 Syrians have traveled on a direct flight from Damascus to Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Syrian Transportation Ministry.
Read more »
ANALYSIS: Saudi Arabia Is Becoming One of Biden's Most Important Swing StatesAs President Joe Biden prepares to fight for reelection this November across a contentious battleground of U.S. states, the White House also find...
Read more »
Dragon Ball Theme Park Reveals New Look at Landmarks, AttractionsDragon Ball will open its first official theme park in Saudi Arabia.
Read more »