Hajj diaries: 'We didn’t dress in jewels, we dressed in joy'

Two pilgrims share their personal journey during this year's Hajj

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

For more, visit our dedicated Hajj 2021 page

As pilgrims reflect on their Hajj experience, many say how it has been life-changing, with memories they will never forget.

Dina, a Jordanian pilgrim, shared her personal journey with The National.

"We didn’t dress up in lavish clothes and jewels, we dressed in joy," Dina said.

"The memories I made here are priceless, and they are all with strangers with whom I have spent the days of Hajj and created a deep bond with.

"I can’t explain it. But caring for each other through every step may be one reason.

"From carrying each other’s loads on the long journey between sites, pushing wheelchairs for people in our group or applying soothing ointments to ease their pain and heal blisters on their feet from walking in the heat, we have done it all.

"It feels so good to be there for each other regardless of where they come from. It’s an invaluable and hidden lesson that Hajj teaches us.”

Asma, a Saudi pilgrim, also shared her experience at this year's Hajj.

“Today was the first day we got to relax," Asma said. "Once we took off our ihram, purified ourselves and dressed for tawaf, we went to the Grand Mosque and offered dhuhr prayers and tawaf al ifadah.

"We met our friends from other camps on the way there and in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque.

"We exchanged Eid greetings and had a fresh meal together before we prayed asr in the Grand Mosque and came back to our camp.

“It’s a beautiful feeling to be able to do that with people you just met."

Pilgrims will stay another two days in Mina to complete the stoning ritual at the Jamarat and perform tawaf al wada before they leave Makkah on Thursday.

Women's roles in Hajj - in pictures

Rania Shuaib, a Hajj volunteer in Makkah.

Solider Abeer Al Rashid who conducted Saudi Arabia's first female-led security forces briefing for Hajj last week.

Civil defence soliders checking holy sites.

Amal AabdulRahman is in her fourth year as a Hajj camp supervisor.

Reem Khalid, 25, talking to reporters in her role as a media co-ordinator.

Dr Zahra Al Srori and her friend Dr Tasneem Eid both decided to work this Hajj.

Nurse Sara Al Shamari is working at the Grand Mosque of Makkah, her second placement as a volunteer.

Civil defence soliders checking holy sites.

The 911 call centre in Makkah has a designated women’s section, covering all sorts of emergencies.

Civil defence soliders checking holy sites.