MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have arrived in Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, which begins officially on Friday.
This year’s pilgrimage is taking place under the shadow of the Gaza war, which has heightened tensions in the Muslim world. Despite the ongoing conflict, Saudi officials are determined to keep the focus on prayers, with the Hajj minister, Tawfiq al-Rabiah, emphasizing that “no political activity” will be tolerated during the event.
As of Thursday, approximately 1.2 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia from abroad. Over 1.8 million people performed the Hajj rituals last year, with almost 90% of them traveling from outside. The pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has generated significant anger in the broader Muslim world, posing a challenge for Saudi leaders. Umer Karim, a Saudi politics expert, noted that the Hajj is both a matter of prestige and a test of governance for Saudi rulers. The war, which erupted following Hamas’s October 7 attack, has resulted in substantial casualties on both sides, with Israeli military operations leading to a high civilian death toll in Gaza.
In a show of support for Palestinians, King Salman decreed the hosting of 1,000 pilgrims from the families of Gaza martyrs and the wounded, bringing the total number of Palestinian pilgrims to 2,000 this year. The pilgrimage is crucial for Saudi rulers, with King Salman’s title including “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in Mecca and Medina.
The Hajj pilgrimage occurs during the hot Saudi summer, with temperatures expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit). Last year, heat stress affected more than 2,000 people, and large crowds have historically posed hazards, as seen in the 2015 stampede that resulted in up to 2,300 deaths.
Despite the challenges, the pilgrimage is a significant logistical achievement for Saudi Arabia and a major financial boon as the country seeks to expand its tourism sector. Authorities aim to attract 30 million Hajj and Umrah pilgrims by 2030.
