Pilgrims reflect on a ‘magnificent’ Hajj

Technology and strict guidelines helped keep pilgrims safe from Covid-19 this year

Pilgrims take a selfie after the symbolic stoning ritual during the Hajj in Mina, near Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AP

A woman pilgrim prays after the stoning ritual. AP

Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar representing the devil, one of several rituals that form part of the annual Hajj. Reuters

A pilgrim flings a stone at a pillar symbolising Satan. Reuters

An official in Mina, near Makkah, directs a pilgrim during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Coronavirus hit the Hajj for a second year running. An event that annually attracts about 2. 5 million Muslims from around the world this year is unrecognisable in scale with strict health restrictions in place.

Pilgrims at prayer after participating in the symbolic stoning of the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

A pilgrim during prayer after the stone-throwing ritual.

Pilgrims cast stones in a ritual stoning of Satan during Hajj.

Pilgrims pray after the stone-throwing ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

A Hajj pilgrim in Mina, near Makkah, casts a stone at a pillar representing Satan.

Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Hajj.

A pilgrim prays after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.

A worker distributes free water from the holy well of Zamzam to pilgrims.

A Saudi policewoman, Samar, stands in front of the Kaaba.

A pilgrim casts stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.

Pilgrims throw stones at pillars symbolising Satan during Hajj in Mina, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Pilgrims have their heads shaved on the second day of Eid Al Adha after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.

Pilgrims, keeping social distancing and wearing protective masks, cast stones at pillars symbolising Satan.

Pilgrims pray on top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, near Makkah.

Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat during Hajj.

A pilgrim prays in front of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma, or the Mountain of Mercy.

Muslim pilgrims at Mount Arafat.

Vaccinated pilgrims performing Hajj.

Pilgrims shelter from the sun under an umbrella.

Participants remained socially distanced and wore masks as the coronavirus took its toll on the Hajj for a second year running.

Officials replace the covering cloth of the Kaaba.

Aerial view of the Mina area during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah.

The Kaaba is covered with the Kiswa cloth.

Another view of the Mina area.

Pilgrims must be under 65 and without a chronic disease.

Rules for the 2021 Hajj allow for a maximum of 60,000 citizens and residents Saudi Arabia.

Pilgrims must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to be allowed entry.

It is the second consecutive year that numbers at Hajj are limited due to pandemic.

Muslim pilgrims, wearing protective face masks, circle the Kaaba.

Coronavirus precautions are taken across the site.

Pilgrims arrive at their tented camp in Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Time for prayer and reflection.

For some worshippers, this year’s Hajj is a strange experience because it has been scaled down to such an extent.

A pilgrim recites the Quran.

Saudi pilgrim Irak al Dofairy, 65, reads the Quran on his mobile phone at a camp in Mina.

A pilgrim sits cross-legged.

.Mina sits in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains.

Visitors partake in the rituals of the great pilgrimage.

Walking around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.

Back at the camp.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, started with only 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents allowed to take part this year because of the pandemic.

Pilgrims pour into Makkah for first Hajj rituals amid strict health measures.

A pilgrim takes a selfie at the Grand Mosque as he wears a mask and stands on social distancing signs.

A total of 60,000 assembled in Mina on Sunday before moving to Arafat on Monday.

Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba.

A robot sterilises an area of the Grand Mosque before Hajj.

The pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.

Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque.

Workers disinfect the grounds.

Muslim pilgrims walk around the cubic building of the Kaaba.

A Muslim pilgrim walks past a sign reminding Hajj participants of social distancing.

A pilgrims arrives to atend the Hajj season in Makkah.

Hajj authorities have been disinfecting the Grand Mosque around the clock to ensure pilgrims' safety.

The pilgrimage remains a deeply personal experience for many, despite the downsizing for the second year running.

A person can perform Hajj on behalf of someone who has died or is unable to come to Makkah but only if they have already performed the pilgrimage for themselves.

A man hands a bottle of water to a pilgrim at the Grand Mosque.

The annual ritual is an important part of Islam.

Pilgrims are dotted around the site.

Saudi troops stand guard as the first pilgrims arrive at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.

A person takes a video as pilgrims perform Tawaf, the rite of circumambulating the Kaaba.

Pilgrims pray in the evening near the Kaaba.

A Saudi security officer watches as pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba

Pilgrims celebrated the beginning of Eid Al Adha in Makkah on Wednesday as Saudi Arabia’s Hajj began winding down.

Worshippers wearing masks repeated the Jamarat stoning of the devil ritual, throwing pebbles at all three stone pillars, before spending the evening in their camps in Mina.

Those taking part told The National they felt elated at the opportunity to undertake this once-in-a-lifetime Hajj.

“Those who perform Hajj are believed to be like a new baby, all their mistakes are gone, and I'm feeling this. By every step of the rituals we do, I feel a part of me is getting purer. I feel gradually I'm being reborn,” Atheer Bahakim, 18, said.

Ms Bahakim said she had not known what to expect for her first Hajj, but so far, it was the journey of a lifetime.

The most significant moment was when people were walking together and saying the special prayer dedicated to Hajj, called talbiyah, she said.

“They were all saying 'labaik Allahuma labaik' together. It was so majestic. I got goosebumps from it.”

Ms Bahakim's mother, who is also performing Hajj this year, agreed this point was the most significant.

“I was tearing up when I heard the talbiyah. All these people are here for one purpose and asking the same God, all are here for this journey and all are saying the same words. It is really a magnificent scene.”

In down time between Hajj activities, pilgrims began to celebrate Eid Al Adha, buying gifts to take home for loved ones, such as prayer beads, personalised prayer mats, Qurans, prayer books and locally made jewellery as shops opened on the second day of the holiday.

Food is also a main attraction, with pilgrims queuing at the famous Al Baik chicken shop and enjoying coffee and cake in cafes.

“We see people here wishing to be with their families, but not everyone can. We are lucky to be here on this holy journey together, and we hope God accepts our Hajj,” pilgrim Shatha Al Haddah said.

The day spent at Arafat was the most meaningful for her.

“When we were in Arafat, it was like a dream. I couldn't believe we were actually there,” said the 36-year-old.

Her sister, Shahad Al Haddah, said that despite the challenging journey, all pilgrims are bearing with the heat and the hardship for the emotional blessing of performing the pilgrimage. “I also admired how despite all, these people are still smiling, praying and helping each other,” she said.

Keeping this year’s 60,000 pilgrims safe during the Covid-19 pandemic has been a complex logistical challenge that started with strict criteria on who was allowed to attend.

Only those who had been fully vaccinated with no underlying conditions and who already resided in the kingdom were accepted.

A number of technological methods were also put in place to aid social distancing, including smartcards.

The plastic cards are available in green, red, yellow and blue. The colours correspond to markings on the ground guiding pilgrims through the different stages of the Hajj.

The digital system also allows authorities to guide the tens of thousands who attend the annual event, which in years past has at times been marred by deadly stampedes and accidents.

Each card contains basic information about each pilgrim, including their registration number, exact location of their accommodation, mobile phone number and the ID number of their guide.

- Agencies contributed to this report