Saudi Arabia prepares for the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage
Over 2 million Muslims from abroad and inside the kingdom are expected to take part in this year’s ceremony. Billions of US dollars have been spent on security and safety measures.
Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the annual haj pilgrimage beginning on Sunday, as over 2 million Muslim faithful are ready to take part in the ultraconservative kingdom.
The pilgrimage represents one of the five pillars of Islam and is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life.
In recent weeks, the faithful have arrived in Mecca from across the world, all chanting “Labayk Allahuma Labayk,” or “Here I am, God, answering your call. Here I am.”
The haj offers pilgrims an opportunity to feel closer to God amid the Muslim world’s many challenges, including the threat of extremists in the Mideast after Islamic State was beaten back in Iraq and Syria and the plight of Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority.
“My feeling is indescribable to perform the haj,” said Imad Abdel-Raheem, an Egyptian pilgrim. “I also want to pray for all Muslim countries, for them to live free in all places, in Palestine and in Myanmar, in all places, in Afghanistan and in India.”
Major General Mansour al-Turki, the spokesman of the Saudi Interior Ministry, told journalists on Saturday that over 2 million Muslims from abroad and inside the kingdom would be taking part in this year’s haj.
