Journalism of Courage
Over 1.5 lakh Indians along with tens of thousands of Muslims from across the globe today marked the beginning of the Haj pilgrimage, the world's largest annual gatherings, as they travelled from the holy city of Mecca to nearby tent-city of Mina to perform the first rites.
Haj pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, September 22. (Source: AP)
Chanting 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik' (I come to you, Oh my Lord, I come to you), pilgrims clad in white seamless cloth began moving to the tent-city Mina in groups. (Source: AP)
While a significant number of pilgrims started the nearly five kilometre journey from Mecca to Mina last night, most of the pilgrims began soon after pre-dawn prayers today.
Haj pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, while performing Tawaf, an anti-clockwise movement around the Kaaba and one of the main rites of the annual pilgrimage, known as Haj, in Saudi Arabia. (Source: AP)
Haj pilgrims pray as they touch the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca. (Source: AP)
Emotional scenes were witnessed in Mina as on arrival many pilgrims could not control tears and many continued to thank Allah for making it possible for them to perform Haj. (Source: AP)
The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam that should be performed at least once in lifetime by every Muslim who is financially and physically capable.
Haj pilgrims pray while touching the Kaaba while performing Tawaf, an anti-clockwise movement around the Kaaba and one of the main rites of the annual pilgrimage, known as hajj, in Saudi Arabia. (Source: AP)
After offering prayers at Arafat, pilgrims will travel to nearby Muzdalifa to collect stones for the ritual in Mina Valley, an event which has been marred in the past by stampedes.
A Haj pilgrim carries his son as they circle the Kaaba while performing Tawaf. (Source: AP)
Saudi Government officials said a total of 13,74,206 foreign pilgrims have arrived for Haj this year. The pilgrimage will end after Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.
More than 2 million Muslims have begun the first rites of the annual haj pilgrimage, which draws people from around the world to Mecca and areas around it to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at ultimately erasing past sins. (Source: AP)
