Saudi emergency personnel and pilgrims stand near bodies covered in sheets at the site where hundreds were killed in a stampede in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, at the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia on September 24, 2015.
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Makkah: The General Authority for Statistics revealed that the total number of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj (1437 AH) reached 1,862,909 pilgrims, a decline of about 4.6 per cent (89,908 pilgrims), compared to the number of pilgrims last year (1436 AH), whose number accounted for 1,952,817 pilgrims.
But another 60-year-old pilgrim, who identified himself as Mohammed, said “more work was needed, especially to ensure comfort for older pilgrims”.
Noting that the Saudi regime has been to insolent as not to apologize to Muslim countries for its failure to properly handle the religious rituals, the Iranian official added that Riyadh even goes as far as impeding Iranian Hajj pilgrims from performing one of the most important Islamic obligations.
The ritual is expected to be carried out over three days beginning from Monday. After the stoning tomorrow the pilgrims will return to Mecca for the seven farewell laps of the Kaaba.
The event at Mount Arafat featured Pilgrims’ supplication for Allah’s guidance and forgiveness.
For the first time in almost 3 decades, Iran’s 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics. It is here where Muslims believe the devil tried to talk the Prophet Ibrahim out of submitting to God’s will.
In remarks published by the official Saudi Press Agency on Sunday, al-Toraifi said the channel “aims to broadcast the message of hajj, the eternal meanings of Islam and what is being provided by the kingdom.to pilgrims and visitors”.
Tears rolled down the cheeks of pilgrims as they climbed Jabal Al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, where Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, delivered his final sermon more than 14 centuries ago.
He has not returned to Mina but says he is not afraid and sent his young wife to this year’s pilgrimage.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, which capable Muslims must perform at least once. “I’m here closer to God”.
The white terrycloth garments worn by men throughout the five-day hajj are forbidden to contain any stitching – a restriction meant to emphasize the equality of all Muslims and prevent wealthier pilgrims from differentiating themselves with more elaborate garments.
From there, believers head to the Jamarat area to complete the next stage of the pilgrimage.
Standing at Mount Arafat in prayer before sunset on 9th Dul Hijjah is the high point of Haj.
The Iranian official said the deadly incidents during last year’s Hajj rituals in Saudi Arabia have “stigmatized” Al Saud.
Tehran’s firefighters attempt to control a blaze inside Saudi Arabia’s embassy after it was stormed by Iranian protesters during a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 2, 2016.
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The Jamarat stoning will also be more tightly controlled than in previous years. Masses of Iranian Shi’ites have instead converged on the holy Iraqi city of Karbala for an alternative pilgrimage.
