Hajj pilgrimage starts in Saudi Arabia, with 2 million expected after lifting of COVID measures

Source: Associated Press

Hajj pilgrimage starts in Saudi Arabia, with 2 million expected after lifting of COVID measures

By RIAZAT BUTT
June 26, 2023

MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Some 2 million Muslim pilgrims officially began the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Monday, making their way out of Mecca after circling Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, and converging on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert for a day and night of prayer.

One of the largest religious gatherings in the world has returned to full capacity this year for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago.

The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do it.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hajj-islam-pilgrimage-saudi-arabia-3caa26d1c5564c05f711f32ae9a011cf