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The hajj is considered one of the five pillars of Islam, replicating the journey undertaken by the Prophet Mohammad in 630 AD. It is also a religious duty that Muslims must perform at least once in their lifetime, depending on their financial ability and physical condition.
The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which began on July 28 and will last until August 2, is a must-do for Muslims at least once in their lifetime. Last year’s Hajj attracted more than 2.5 million people from around the world to Mecca to pray, eat, and repent together.
On July 29, pilgrims began performing the first rituals of the hajj.
However, instead of the usual scenes of jostling to pray in a sea of people from all walks of life, young people pushing wheelchairs for the elderly, and carrying their children to Mecca, this year only about 1,000 worshippers in Saudi Arabia participated in this ritual. The worshippers had to practice social distancing, standing far apart and moving in small groups of 20 people to limit the possibility of spreading nCoV. They ate canned food alone in the hotel and prayed far away from others.
While the experience this time is very different, it is still an opportunity for pilgrims to shed past sins, strengthen their faith and complete one of the five pillars of Islam.
The Kaaba is a rectangular structure at the center of the Grand Mosque, covered in gold-embroidered silk, that Muslims around the world walk around to pray, in the first ritual of the hajj.
On July 29, hundreds of pilgrims surrounded the Kaaba but still ensured a safe distance.
For the first time in nearly a century, Saudi Arabia has banned Muslims from abroad from entering the kingdom to perform the hajj in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19. Only 1,000 Saudi residents have been selected to perform the hajj this year. Two-thirds are foreigners from the 160 different nationalities normally represented at the pilgrimage. One-third are Saudi security and health workers.
Muslims selected to participate in this year's hajj must be between 20 and 50 years old, have no underlying health conditions and no Covid-19 symptoms, and priority will be given to those who have never participated in the hajj before. All will be tested for Covid-19, wear wristbands to track their movements, and be required to quarantine at home or in a hotel in Mecca before the start of the hajj. They will also be required to quarantine for another week after the end of the pilgrimage.
Sanitation workers disinfect the central area of the mosque in Mecca on July 27.
International media were not allowed to report in Mecca. Instead, Saudi authorities broadcast live footage from the Grand Mosque showing health workers disinfecting pilgrims’ luggage, and pilgrims walking a few meters apart around the Kaaba, a rectangular structure at the center of the Grand Mosque, covered in gold-embroidered silk that Muslims around the world circle to pray, the first ritual of the hajj. To limit the risk of infection, Muslims are also not allowed to touch the Kaaba. Several medical facilities, mobile clinics and ambulances are also mobilized to serve pilgrims.
A police car escorts pilgrims to the Grand Basilica.
Khalid bin Qarar Al-Harbi, Saudi Arabia's director of public security, said there were no security concerns during the pilgrimage, and the scaled-down event was aimed at protecting pilgrims from the risk of infection. Pilgrims will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing while performing religious rituals in Mecca and surrounding areas. Those selected to participate in the pilgrimage have had their temperatures checked and will be placed under quarantine upon their arrival.
Security personnel control the number of worshippers participating in the pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque.
Worshippers can also only drink water from the Zamzam well in pre-filled plastic bottles. The pebbles used to ward off evil spirits, which they often collect along the pilgrimage routes, will be sterilized and packaged.
Pilgrims are also given personal prayer mats and special clothing to wear during the hajj treated with nano-silver technology that Saudi authorities say will help kill bacteria and make clothes water-resistant.
During the pilgrimage, women are not allowed to wear makeup, perfume, loose clothing, or head coverings. Men wear white overalls to emphasize the equality of all Muslims and to discourage wealthy pilgrims from dressing differently.
Worshippers pray together but still maintain a safe distance
Saudi Arabia is currently one of the countries most seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in the Middle East. As of the morning of July 30 (Vietnam time), Saudi Arabia has recorded 272,590 cases of Covid-19, including 2,816 deaths.
