All posts tagged: Hajj

Muslim pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the Hajj reaches its peak

Muslim pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the Hajj reaches its peak

ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Muslim pilgrims from around the world congregated on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for intense prayers on Tuesday, the second official day and the climax of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. Despite the sweltering heat, the pilgrims gathered on the rocky hill and the surrounding plain for worship that often marks a spiritual peak for the faithful, fervently murmured prayers and poured their hearts out in supplication. Many raised their hands in worship. It is common for pilgrims on that day, some with tears streaming down their faces, to ask God for forgiveness, mercy, blessings and good health. The Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to perform it. For pilgrims, the Hajj, performed over several days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. As they brave the intense heat to perform religious rituals, many pilgrims have been using umbrellas …

Muslim pilgrims participate in stone-throwing ritual on third day of Hajj | Religion

Muslim pilgrims participate in stone-throwing ritual on third day of Hajj | Religion

NewsFeed More than a million Muslim pilgrims are participating in the stone-throwing ritual on the third day of Hajj. Pilgrims throw pebbles at stone pillars in Mina, Saudi Arabia to symbolise the stoning of the devil and the rejection of temptation. Published On 27 May 202627 May 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Source link

San Diego mosque shooting reflects how online rhetoric, media depictions and political discourse contribute to increased Islamophobia

San Diego mosque shooting reflects how online rhetoric, media depictions and political discourse contribute to increased Islamophobia

(The Conversation) — Many Muslim Americans are fearful following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that left three worshipers dead. Investigators reportedly found hate speech and anti-Islamic writing inside the vehicle of the suspected shooters, who killed themselves soon after the attack. The director of the Islamic Center, Taha Hassane, condemned the attack while also encouraging individuals to respond with tolerance and love. “All of us are responsible for spreading the culture of tolerance, the culture of love,” he said, while lamenting the conditions that had led to such violence. The attack comes just one week before the celebration of Eid al-Adha, an annual festival celebrating the Prophet Abraham’s – Ibrahim in Arabic – willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, and the conclusion of the annual Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam. It also comes on the heels of ongoing tensions in the Middle East and increasing political rhetoric in the United States. Republicans in Congress held hearings during the week of …

Muslims begin the annual Hajj in sweltering heat against a backdrop of war concerns

Muslims begin the annual Hajj in sweltering heat against a backdrop of war concerns

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, officially began Monday. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the country, Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said Friday. The faithful have been pouring into the country for the Hajj against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related regional tensions and uncertainty. Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim said she was grateful to God that she made it to the Hajj, which is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. “I am in a state of blessing and happiness,” she said in Mecca on Sunday. “It’s an indescribable feeling, truly. I mean, thank God, I am in a blessing.” Typically on the first day, many pilgrims in Mecca converge on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert. Ahead of that, pilgrims have been circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in …

A look at the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha and their significance to Muslims around the world

A look at the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha and their significance to Muslims around the world

Once a year, large numbers of Muslim pilgrims converge in Saudi Arabia, uniting in religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj. While fulfilling a religious obligation, they immerse themselves in what can be a spiritual experience of a lifetime for them and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. This year, the Hajj has been approaching against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related tensions and uncertainty in the Middle East. Earlier in the year, travel chaos from the war ensnared some of the Muslims who were in Saudi Arabia performing “Umrah,” often referred to as the lesser or minor pilgrimage. Some were stranded and scrambled to find their way home. Here’s a look at the annual Hajj pilgrimage and its significance to Muslims. The Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and involves a series of religious rituals. It’s required once in a lifetime of every Muslim …

Al Jazeera speaks to Hajj pilgrims about their journey to Mecca | Religion

Al Jazeera speaks to Hajj pilgrims about their journey to Mecca | Religion

NewsFeed Pilgrims gather on the Day of Arafah, the spiritual peak of Hajj, retracing the Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon, braving intense heat. Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris meets worshippers reflecting on faith, equality and their journeys to Mecca. Published On 26 May 202626 May 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Source link

Over 1.5 million pilgrims begin Hajj amid regional tensions | Religion News

Over 1.5 million pilgrims begin Hajj amid regional tensions | Religion News

Published On 25 May 202625 May 2026 The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, has begun in Saudi Arabia as more than 1.5 million pilgrims arrive from abroad amid the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war and a global energy crisis. Saleh bin Saad al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said that over 1.5 million pilgrims had entered the kingdom by Friday, with more expected. For many, reaching Mecca is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim said she felt overwhelming gratitude to have made the journey required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able. “I am in a state of blessing and happiness,” she said in Mecca on Sunday. “It’s an indescribable feeling, truly. Thank God, I am in a blessing.” Ahead of the move to the vast tent city of Mina, pilgrims have been circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in sweltering heat, some shielding themselves with umbrellas and handheld fans. …

NY City Council passes bill to protect Muslim pilgrims from Hajj scams

NY City Council passes bill to protect Muslim pilgrims from Hajj scams

(RNS) — The New York City Council passed a bill to educate New Yorkers on scams related to the Hajj and Umrah, the Islamic pilgrimages performed by millions every year. The first of its kind, the New York City bill aims to protect pilgrims, and particularly seniors, navigating the Hajj travel industry from scams related to travel, accommodation, catering services and visa applications. “Fraudulent travel packages, fake visa brokers, and predatory booking services have for too long targeted New York City Muslims who save for years to make these pilgrimages,” wrote Harlem Council Member Yusef Salaam, who sponsored the bill and is a Muslim, in a press release. Hajj, which begins on Sunday (May 24), is a seven-day pilgrimage that Muslims are expected to complete in their lifetime if they have the means and are physically fit. It is considered one of Islam’s five pillars and takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, one of Islam’s holiest sites. Umrah, another pilgrimage to Mecca, is a non-mandatory ritual and can be accomplished at any time. Since 2022, …

As Iran war persists, some US Muslims consider risks of Mecca pilgrimage

As Iran war persists, some US Muslims consider risks of Mecca pilgrimage

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (RNS and NPR) — Juber Ahmed, a pharmacist, and his mother, Shamima Akther, are preparing for a trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage — a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s considered a sacred obligation for Muslims. The Sterling Heights, Michigan, residents found out their applications to go were accepted in January, after months of waiting. “Honestly, that feeling, I still can’t find the words to express,” he said. “I was in tears, did sajdah as-sukr (offered gratitude) and then I hugged my mom, and both of us just were in tears.” Akther, 63, said she waited nearly 30 years to make the journey and wants to do it while she’s still physically able. “I was waiting for my kids to grow up so I can go with my oldest son,” she said.  They are among a few thousand pilgrims from the United States who will join the estimated 1.5 million people from around the world performing Hajj this year. Hajj is performed on the eighth through 13th days of …