- Title: Pilgrims commend the way haj organized this year
- Date: 19th July 2021
- Summary: MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (JULY 19, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WALKING TOWARDS NAMIRA MOSQUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN WOMAN, SUHAIR SAAD, SAYING: "The best thing is that the number of pilgrims is little, only 60,000, and this will make us perform Hajj comfortably. Also, we were surprised that the weather is nice and not hot, it's a blessing from God, thank God." VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WALKING TOWARDS NAMIRA MOSQUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) A PILGRIM FROM EGYPT, AHMED MOHAMMED, SAYING: "Praise God, the Hajj is the day of Arafa, it's a feeling for each Muslim filled with spirituality, and the weather is cloudy there was no sun since the morning this is a blessing from God. It (hajj) was well organized thank God may Allah reward anyone joined in organizing it." VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WALKING TOWARDS NAMIRA MOSQUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PILGRIM FROM SAUDI ARABIA, AHMED MOHAMMED, SAYING: "Organizing (hajj) is great in terms of campaigns that controlled the crowds and during performing rituals. Also I would like to pray for my parents and my Muslim brothers." VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WALKING TOWARDS NAMIRA MOSQUE MINARET OF NAMIRA MOSQUE VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS LISTENING ARAFA DAY'S SERMON
- Embargoed: 2nd August 2021 13:59
- Keywords: Arafat Hajj Mecca Mount of Mercy
- Location: MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA
- City: MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001EMIATZB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of pilgrims attended Arafa sermon on Monday (July 19) as part of this year's hajj's procession.
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, has barred worshippers from abroad for a second year running and has restricted entry from within the kingdom under special conditions to guard against the coronavirus and its new variants.
Pilgrims commended the way this year's hajj was organized.
"Organizing (hajj) is great in terms of campaigns that controlled the crowds and during performing rituals. Also I would like to pray for my parents and my Muslim brothers," A pilgrim from Saudi Arabia Ahmed Mohammed said.
Earlier this morning, many face-masked pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat to atone for their sins, expressing hopes for peace and an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only 60,000 Saudi citizens and residents, aged 18 to 65, who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from the virus and do not suffer from chronic diseases, were selected for the rite, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
Mount Arafat is also where Prophet Mohammad gave his last sermon.
The hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime.
(Production: Mohammed Benmansour) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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