Pilgrims from various parts of the globe are arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year, embraced by a spiritual and faith-filled atmosphere. As they engage in the ‘Tawaf al-Qudum’ upon their arrival in Mecca, many pilgrims expressed their immense joy at fulfilling this religious obligation for the first time.
Among them is Azizah Ibrahim from Egypt, who shared with Reuters, “I have long wished to come here to see the Kaaba… It’s my first time seeing it, and I am extremely happy to witness it. I prayed to God for this, and thankfully, He has granted my wish… Praise be to God.”
Meanwhile, Syrian pilgrim Mona Mohammed, while filled with joy about her pilgrimage, reflected on the recent turmoil in her home country following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad and the rise of new leaders.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a warning against violating Hajj regulations by attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, effective from the first day of Dhul-Qi’dah until the end of the fourteenth day of Dhul-Hijjah.
The ministry clarified that those caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit could face fines of up to 20,000 riyals. Additionally, illegal entrants for Hajj will be deported and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for a decade.
Authorities reported that the number of pilgrims arriving from abroad through all of the Kingdom’s land, sea, and air entry points has exceeded 1.3 million by the close of Thursday.
Lebanese citizen Hicham Darwish expressed hope for a return to calm in Lebanon after the recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.
He stated to Reuters, “We are praying… praying for peace and security in Lebanon, and may God guide us and bring people back to their villages and lands.”
Pilgrims are preparing to stand at Arafat, the most significant part of the Hajj, next Thursday.