Hajj 2022: Saudi Arabia aims to keep pilgrimage clean and eco-friendly

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

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  A woman pilgrim prays after the stoning ritual. AP

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

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

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

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  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.

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

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  A pilgrim during prayer after the stone-throwing ritual.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  A pilgrim casts stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.

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

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

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

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

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  Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat during Hajj.

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

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

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  Muslim pilgrims at Mount Arafat.

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  Vaccinated pilgrims performing Hajj.

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  Pilgrims shelter from the sun under an umbrella.

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

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  Officials replace the covering cloth of the Kaaba.

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

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  The Kaaba is covered with the Kiswa cloth.

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  Another view of the Mina area.

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  Pilgrims must be under 65 and without a chronic disease.

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

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

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

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

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  Coronavirus precautions are taken across the site.

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

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  Time for prayer and reflection.

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

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  A pilgrim recites the Quran.

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

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  A pilgrim sits cross-legged.

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

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  Visitors partake in the rituals of the great pilgrimage.

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

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  Back at the camp.

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  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.

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

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

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

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  Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba.

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

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

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  Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque.

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  Workers disinfect the grounds.

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  Muslim pilgrims walk around the cubic building of the Kaaba.

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

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  A pilgrims arrives to atend the Hajj season in Makkah.

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

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

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  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.

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

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  The annual ritual is an important part of Islam.

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  Pilgrims are dotted around the site.

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

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

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  Pilgrims pray in the evening near the Kaaba.

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  A Saudi security officer watches as pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba

Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here

Organisers of Saudi Arabia's Hajj are embracing environmental issues in preparation for the annual pilgrimage to Makkah this year.

Officials are encouraging pilgrims to avoid food waste, to use reusable water bottles, and to separate rubbish and recyclables.

“There is no waste, since pilgrims are not allowed to bring their own foodstuff or things related to cooking or other materials that can be wasted and harm the environment, (so that we) keep Hajj pollutant and waste-free this year,” Khalid, a Saudi Hajj guide, tells The National.

“In Islam, cleanliness is part of our faith and we prioritise hygiene and cleanliness, which in itself helps us take care of ourselves and our environment. There is a huge number of staff designated to ensure cleanliness of each tent, and room throughout the five days of Hajj.

“We have distributed eco-friendly waste containers in different parts throughout the holy sites."

Saudi Arabia has said its successful Covid-19 vaccination campaign has allowed authorities to provide a safe environment for pilgrims. Only those with three doses of the vaccine will be allowed to perform Hajj this year.

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  Volunteer Abdulrahman al Maani distributes watermelon slices to Hajj pilgrims leaving for Makkah, in Maan, Jordan. Reuters

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  A boy offers sweets to Hajj pilgrims leaving for Makkah, in Maan, Jordan. Reuters

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  Tunisian Muslims travel to participate in Hajj in Makkah. EPA

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  This year’s quota for Tunisians for the pilgrimage is 4,792, the country’s Minister of Religious Affairs Ibrahim Chaibi said. EPA

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  Tunisian President Kais Saied greets some of those heading for Makkah. EPA

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  A Palestinian Muslim pilgrim receives a Covid-19 vaccine dose at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as they head to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

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  A bus carrying Palestinian Muslim pilgrims arrives at the Rafah border crossing. The Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. AFP

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  The Hajj pilgrimage is an Islamic religious duty that must be carried out at least once in the lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. AFP

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  Millions of Muslims travel every year to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj, although this was not the case over the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

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  This pilgrim receives best wishes from her loved one before embarking on the journey to Makkah. AFP

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  Muslims devotees bound to Makkah for the Hajj pilgrimage arrive at the airport in Ahmedabad, India. AFP

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  An Iraqi pilgrim at Jdeidet Arar port in northern Saudi Arabia. The port provides services to those performing Hajj. SPA

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  Members of the third group of Iraqi pilgrims arrive at the port. SPA

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  More than 4,000 pilgrims from Iraq have passed through the port. SPA

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  A Syrian pilgrim prepares to board a bus at the Bab Al Hawa border crossing with Turkey. AFP

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  Syrians gather at the border crossing as they prepare to travel to Makkah. AFP

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  All Muslims who are able to must perform Hajj during their lives. AFP

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  Hajj pilgrims begin their journey from the Bab Al Hawa crossing to Saudi Arabia. AFP

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  More than 10,000 Syrians will perform the pilgrimage this year. AFP

The Grand Mosque will continuously be sterilised throughout the day and night, highlighting the measures taken by the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques to maintain a safe and clean environment for all.

The Agency for Services, Field Affairs and Environmental Prevention held a meeting earlier this month entitled 'The Environment of the Haram is our responsibility' in conjunction with World Environment Day, state media reported.

The meeting raised a number of areas of improvement and development for businesses and services for environmental protection in the Grand Mosque, in accordance with Saudi Arabia's local and international efforts and its Vision 2030.

The head of the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais, said that authorities are ensuring the Two Holy Mosques are environmentally friendly.

He urged people to adhere to environmental protocols, as “dealing with the environment is the responsibility of the human being and Islam, as a religion, has always been concerned about the environment, quality, health, safety, security and stability."

Eid Al Adha livestock measures

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (Mewa) announced last week that it is ensuring veterinary teams are working to inspect the sheep that are to be sacrificed. The teams are checking any breaches of animal welfare, before Eid Al Adha, with more than 880,000 sheep expected to arrive in the kingdom next week.

The ministry said the process involves lab tests to ensure the livestock is disease-free and ensures the health and safety of the animal through round-the-clock inspections.

As part of precautionary measures for Covid-19 taken by Saudi authorities, Mewa has also started introducing measures to prevent camels from entering the holy sites during Hajj season.