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Al-Ahed Telegram

Millions of Muslim Performing Annual Hajj Pilgrimage in Holy Mecca

Millions of Muslim Performing Annual Hajj Pilgrimage in Holy Mecca
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Over two million Muslims from all over the world are performing the multi-stage Hajj pilgrimage at Islam's holiest sites, Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Millions of Muslim Performing Annual Hajj Pilgrimage in Holy Mecca

In one of the first rites of Hajj, which formally started on Wednesday, white-clad pilgrims take their turn circling seven times around the Kaaba, which is considered Islam's most sacred shrine, located at the Grand Mosque in the holy city.

Wearing the simple garb of the pilgrimage, pilgrims continue to perform the mandatory rituals one by one until Monday.

Muslims can also perform the Umrah or Lesser Pilgrimage at other times of the year, but that is no substitute for the Tamattu pilgrimage, which is currently underway in Saudi Arabia.

Based on Islamic rules, every Muslim possessing the necessary physical and financial capabilities is obligated to perform the Tamattu pilgrimage once in his or her lifetime over a five-day period from the eighth to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month on the lunar calendar.

Around 2.3 million Muslim pilgrims are expected to converge in Mecca. Reports say that over 220,000 Indonesian pilgrims are taking part in the rituals this year, which is the highest level of participation by nationals from a country.

Saudi officials say the arrivals showed an increase of 33 percent compared with the same period last year, which stood at more than 1.8 million.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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