‘Prayers, not explosions’: How Muslims have launched into Haj amid the Center East disaster | World Information
3 min learnCould 26, 2026 02:53 PM IST
The ultimate leg of the annual Haj pilgrimage started on Monday as over 1.5 million Muslims gathered within the holy metropolis of Makkah. Pilgrims, wearing white robes, arrived in Mina after performing the “tawaf” — strolling seven occasions across the Kaaba at Makkah’s Grand Mosque.
The pilgrimage this yr is unfolding in opposition to the regional tensions and uncertainty surrounding the battle involving Iran and the US. US President Donald Trump has despatched blended alerts over the potential of a ceasefire between the US and Iran. Regardless of this, Saudi officers stated extra pilgrims travelled from overseas for this yr’s Haj in comparison with 2025.
Amid heightened safety considerations, a video shared by the Saudi defence ministry confirmed superior air defence batteries deployed on the outskirts of Makkah. “The air defence forces are answerable for defending the skies over the holy websites and coping with all aerial threats, guaranteeing the protection and peace of thoughts of the friends,” the ministry stated within the publish.
Chatting with Daybreak, Iranian pilgrim Qadiri recalled taking shelter along with his household in Isfahan throughout intense Israeli and American bombing raids earlier than an April ceasefire got here into impact.
“We hear the decision to prayer every single day, not explosions right here,” Qadiri stated. “I’m very completely happy.”
Like many Iranians attending this yr’s Haj, Qadiri and his household are staying in a resort close to the Grand Mosque below Saudi safety safety. Authorities have reportedly restricted outsiders from approaching or talking with Iranian pilgrims — a protocol not utilized to different guests.
“The Saudi therapy of us is sweet, and every part is okay,” Qadiri added.
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In response to Iran’s IRNA state information company, solely somewhat over 30,000 Iranian pilgrims made the journey to Saudi Arabia this yr as a result of “wartime scenario”, far under the anticipated 86,700 members.
What are the Haj rituals?
The Haj, one of many 5 pillars of Islam, is a non secular obligation that each Muslim with the monetary and bodily means should carry out not less than as soon as of their lifetime.
The pilgrimage begins with the tawaf, the place pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven occasions. They then stroll seven occasions between the hills of Safa and Marwa earlier than continuing to Mina, about 5 kilometres away, forward of the primary ritual at Mount Arafat.
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