Pilgrims in Makkah, who have come at the invitation of the Saudi Arabian government, are cherishing and sharing their memorable moments with their families and acquaintances. They are capturing and sharing these moments spent in Makkah with their loved ones back home.
According to Saudi news agency SPA, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Saudi Arabia is overseeing the care of these state-invited pilgrims. The ministry is educating the pilgrims about various significant sites and historical places in Makkah and guiding them around.
During this period, state-invited pilgrims are making their pilgrimage journey memorable. They are using social media and video calls to inform their relatives and friends back home about these moments and places. Through various call apps, they are showing their families the scenes from the Haram Sharif and other sites, allowing them to experience these places virtually.
This year, at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, 3,322 guests from 88 countries have come to perform Hajj. The arrival of these royal guests in Makkah began on the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah and is still ongoing. After performing Hajj, the royal guests will travel to Madinah, where they will stay for several days.
This year, nearly 2 million people from over 180 countries around the world will perform Hajj. The official rituals of Hajj will begin tomorrow, Friday (June 14th, 8th Dhul-Hijjah).
The Hajj pilgrims will commence their rituals by traveling to Mina. Staying in Mina is considered Sunnah.
Following this, the pilgrims will move to the plains of Arafat, then to Muzdalifah, perform the ritual of stoning the pillars in Mina, shave their heads, perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwa, Tawaf, and finally, offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving. The five-day Hajj ritual will conclude on Tuesday (June 18th, 12th Dhul-Hijjah).
Although the main rituals of Hajj will start on Friday, many pilgrims will begin their journey to the tent city of Mina on Thursday night. After the Isha prayer, pilgrims will set out from their respective residences in Makkah towards Mina in their Ihram garments.
Upon reaching Mina, the pilgrims will perform all five daily prayers from Fajr to Isha in their respective tents.
