JEDDAH: Millions of pilgrims arrived to Makkah’s Grand Mosque on Sunday to perform Tawaf Al-Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival), kicking off the largest annual pilgrimage in several years.
It is the first tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) that pilgrims perform after entering the sacred state of ihram (ritual consecration). This tawaf marks the pilgrims’ arrival at Makkah, Islam’s spiritual heart and the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage.
On Sunday night, pilgrims will begin their journey to Mina, a tent city about 5 kilometers east of Makkah that is recognized as the world’s largest of its kind, ahead of the Hajj’s culmination at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his last speech.
Pilgrims travel on the pilgrimage to Mina on the eighth of Dul Hijjah, known as the Day of Tarwiyah, and spend an entire day and night preparing emotionally and physically for the tremendous spiritual experience that awaits them at Mount Arafat.
On the ninth of Dul Hijjah, travelers congregate on Mount Arafat, which represents the apex of the Hajj trip. In this sacred place, they offer duaa (prayers) to Allah, asking for forgiveness and mercy.
In addition, while on Mount Arafat, pilgrims attend afternoon prayers at the Namirah Mosque, reaffirming their connection with Allah and participating in the collective devotion that brings millions of pilgrims from all over the world together.
On the evening of Dul Hijjah 9, pilgrims set out for Muzdalifah, an important place between Arafat and Mina. Pilgrims spend the night in Muzdalifah collecting small stones for the forthcoming rite of stoning Satan at the Jamarat pillars in Mina.
The pilgrims proceed to the Grand Mosque to conduct Tawaf Al-Ifadah after hurling Jamarat Al-Aqaba with the collected pebbles. This ceremony can be performed at any time between Dul Hijjah 10 and Dul Hijjah 12.
Once this sacred act is done, pilgrims are no longer bound by the ihram restrictions and are free to engage in any lawful activity. It is crucial to note, however, that they must return to Mina to complete the remaining Hajj ceremonies.
Tashreeq days, which fall on Dul Hijjah 11, 12, and 13, require pilgrims to stay in Mina and perform two additional rami ceremonies. On the 11th of Dul Hijjah, pilgrims gather 21 stones and toss them at the three Jamarat. Jamarat Al-Ula is the first to be stoned, followed by Jamarat Al-Wusta, and finally Jamarat Al-Aqaba.
Furthermore, travelers must do the Tawaf Al-Wida, popularly known as the farewell Tawaf, before leaving Makkah. This ceremony is very important in the Hajj journey and is required of all travelers.
This year’s Hajj is expected to be the highest pilgrim gathering since 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak.
In 2019, around 2.5 million people performed the Hajj, representing a significant attendance. However, due of the global outbreak, only 10,000 people were permitted to participate in the pilgrimage in 2020. In 2021, the number of participants climbed to about 59,000.
According to the General Authority for Statistics, there would be 899,353 pilgrims in 2022, with 779,919 from outside Saudi Arabia and 119,434 from within the Kingdom. This remained significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, on the other hand, has announced that this year’s Hajj would welcome a whopping 2 million pilgrims, including 200,000 from within the Kingdom. This significant rise in participation signals a gradual return to normalcy and the continuation of the Hajj experience for a broader number of people.
