More than 1.8 million Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia amid final preparations for the most sacred week in the Islamic calendar.
Saudi Passport officials said that this year 1,725,455 Hajj pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia by air, 95,634 by land and 17,250 by sea.
The holy city of Mecca is preparing to host more than 2.5 million Hajj pilgrims to perform this year’s rituals, with 16 government agencies providing 50 services to visitors.
Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba stone wall as others perform Tawaf (circling) around the Kaaba inside the al-Haram al-Sharif mosque, in preparation of the start of the Hajj 2019 pilgrimage, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Around 2.5 million Muslims are expected to attend this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, which is highlighted by the Day of Arafah, one day prior to Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha is the holiest of the two Muslims holidays celebrated each year, it marks the yearly Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) to visit Mecca, the holiest place in Islam. EPA-EFE/STR The Saudi government has dedicated 350,000 people to help the pilgrims, said Mecca Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.
The pilgrimage will begin on Friday with pilgrims resting in the Mina region before heading to Arafat on Saturday.
Via Arab News
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