Beginning of the great pilgrimage to Mecca, in the era of the coronavirus

By
M.Zack
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A hadnout picture released by the Saudi ministry of media shows pilgrims circumambulating around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the center of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca at the start of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage on July 29, 2020. Mask -clad Muslim pilgrims began the annual hajj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT

AFP PHOTO / HANDOUT / SAUDI MINISTRY OF MEDIA

Posted today at 14:29

ReportageOn Wednesday July 29, the hajj began in its smallest format in modern history.

The Muslim faithful selected for the hajj began the great pilgrimage to Mecca on Wednesday July 29, the smallest in modern history, with numerous health precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In small groups, each led by a guide, the faithful made seven convolutions around the Kaaba, in the heart of the Great Mosque of Mecca, according to live images from Saudi televisions. Sheltering from the sun under umbrellas, wearing masks and standing at a distance from each other, these pilgrims have circled the cubic construction towards which the Muslim devotees around the world turn for their prayers, under the watchful eye. vigilant of police and other officials.

They then walked seven times between Safa and Marwa, in the footsteps of Hajar, wife of the prophet Abraham. According to tradition, she had walked the path to fetch water from her son, the prophet Ismail, until the spring of Zamzam sprang up at her feet.

Grand Mosque special force chief Yahia Al-Akil told state television El-Ekhbariya that these rites took place “In record time and smoothly”.

The faithful arrive at the Great Mosque under the watchful eye of police and other officials.
The first group of pilgrims enter the Kaaba for Hajj on July 29.
Women proceed to convolutions around the Kaaba, in the heart of the Great Mosque of Mecca.
A pilgrim receives a bottle of water while he prays in Mecca.
Pilgrims around the Kaaba, Wednesday July 29.
The first group of women on pilgrimage to Mecca pray in the Grand Mosque at the start of the Hajj on July 29.
Devotees pray during the hajj in Mecca on July 29.
Pilgrims in Mecca on July 29.

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