The annual Hajj pilgrimage has commenced as throngs of Muslims, clad in white robes, encircle the Kaaba, the iconic cubic structure located at the heart of Islam’s most sacred site.
Taking place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage began on Sunday with the tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kaaba, and is anticipated to set new attendance records.
“This year, we will witness the largest Hajj pilgrimage in history,” an official at the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said to Al Jazeera.
With the relaxation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions that had been in effect since 2020, over 2.5 million Muslims are expected to partake in the pilgrimage.
Contrasting starkly with the previous years’ restrictions, where only 10,000 individuals were allowed in 2020, 59,000 in 2021, and a cap of one million in the previous year, this year’s Hajj marks a significant return to normalcy.
However, the 2023 Hajj presents its own challenges, as it unfolds amidst scorching temperatures reaching nearly 45 degrees Celsius. The timing of the pilgrimage is determined by the lunar calendar.
To ensure the well-being of the pilgrims, Saudi authorities have taken precautions by deploying more than 32,000 healthcare professionals and maintaining a fleet of thousands of ambulances on standby, ready to address cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and exhaustion.
