Pilgrims wear simple clothing: For men, it’s typical to wear a white draping garment, while women wear conservative dress and headscarves, forgoing makeup, nail polish and perfume to draw closer to God.īut even Mecca cannot escape the world’s wealth gaps: The well-heeled may pay some $3,000 a night for five-star hotels overlooking the Kaaba. The hajj in Islam is meant to be a great equalizer and unifier among Muslims. Saudi Arabia officially began allowing women to perform the hajj without a male guardian, or “mahram,” last year. This year’s hajj also showcases de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s latest efforts to loosen social restrictions and transform the kingdom. The unprecedented restrictions sent shockwaves through the Muslim world and devastated many believers, who often save up and wait for years to make the pilgrimage.Īlthough no longer in the shadow of the pandemic, this hajj is taking place amid Russia’s war on Ukraine - a conflict that may be thousands of miles from the homes of many Muslims but that has sent the prices of staple foods soaring and spread misery across the world. Some 60,000 residents attended last year. The ritual was almost scrapped in its entirety in 2020, when as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia were permitted to take part. While this year’s attendance is far below the pre-pandemic influx of 2.5 million pilgrims, it represents a significant step closer to normal after the kingdom restricted the event to a small number of Muslim residents for the past two years. Authorities estimate 85% have arrived from abroad. This year, the hajj is open to just 1 million foreign and domestic pilgrims who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, tested negative for COVID-19 and are between 18 and 65 years old. Thousands of medical workers were on hand to assist those in need. Saudi authorities also distributed bottles of water from the holy Zamzam well instead of allowing pilgrims to drink from cups at the mosque. Typically, worshippers would fight the crowds for a chance to touch and kiss the black stone on the Kaaba’s eastern corner, but the government has again banned this practice, for the third year. The situation is good.”īut there were still signs of vigilance. “There are no high numbers of COVID-19 cases.
“This year the number of pilgrims is huge, thank God,” said Mohammad Qabbani, a pilgrim from Sudan. Pilgrims appeared to throw COVID-19 caution to the wind this year as they thronged the Grand Mosque - in sharp contrast to the social distancing and mask requirements of the past two years. Wherever they are in the world, observant Muslims face the Kaaba to pray daily.
The crowds, visibly thinner than usual, moved counter-clockwise around the granite building in a blur, their hearts tilting toward the structure meant to symbolize the oneness of God in Islam. At the center of the Grand Mosque’s courtyard on Thursday, thousands of unmasked pilgrims circled the Kaaba. That includes praying around the cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam. Pilgrims spend five days carrying out a set of rituals intended to bring them closer to God. The hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey, which takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago.
#Crown of dark envoy set free#
He is infuriated by the very nature of the relationship S'Rak and Jisten share, for it violates His most sacred Law, that of free will.MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) - It is a scene that stirs hope - and relief - for Muslims around the world.Ī million pilgrims from across the globe gathered on Thursday in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the initial rites of the hajj, marking the largest Islamic pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic upended the annual event - a key pillar of Islam. While Jethain wrestles with his dilemma, the Lord of Night has no such difficulties. Will Jethain come to accept the pair's love for each other, or will he try to steal the Captain, his oldest, dearest, and only real friend, for himself? The jealous prince is certain that S'Rak seduced his only friend because of the nickname, and that nothing good will come of their affair. But when the prince is attacked by chaos magic, the pair must reveal the depths of their relationship in order to save him. Mindful of the harsh price of the Koilathan "decency" laws, S'Rak and Jisten have taken care to keep their love private. High priest S'Rak has more than earned the trust and friendship of Prince Jethain, and the love and acceptance of the reticent Captain Jisten.
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