‘Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik’: Millions flock to Mina on way to perform Hajj

Nearly three million pilgrims flocked to holy city of Mina to spend day of Tarwiyah (water provision) in pursuit of Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah, chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” in unison, as they embarked on their journey to perform Hajj, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The pilgrims from over 160 countries, chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” in unison, have embarked on their journey from Makkah to Mina as the revered Hajj 1444H (2023 AD) rituals commence.

Prospective pilgrims employed various modes of transportation such as buses and trains, but a significant number chose to follow the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and embarked on the pilgrimage by foot to Mina, a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains, some five kilometres (three miles) from the Grand Mosque. Some intending pilgrims had gone to Mina late Sunday night.

Donning the same attire of Ihram – two white, unstitched pieces of cloth, kings, princes, ministers, the wealthy, and the common man shed all indicators of social, cultural, and political differences, embodying equality before Allah Almighty.

By stripping themselves of anything that might indicate their social standing, they embody the true essence of Hajj.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leadership has provided security, medical and catering services and means of transportation for pilgrims to facilitate Hajj and perform their rituals with spirituality and tranquility, stressing importance that the government and service agencies shall strive to implement everything to make their tasks successful during the Hajj.

After a night spent in Mina, the pilgrims will set off for the Plains of Arafat on Tuesday, just after dawn. Standing on the sacred grounds of Arafat, “Mount of Mercy”, is the site where it is believed that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon.

As part of this sacred journey, after sunset on Tuesday, the pilgrims will make their way back from Arafat to Muzdalifah. As Wednesday (June 28) dawns, marking the joyous occasion of Eidul Azha for millions of Muslims worldwide, the Hajj pilgrims will partake in the solemn ritual of stoning the devil.

Subsequently, they will honour the memory of Prophet Ibrahim, his noble wife Hager, and their son Prophet Ismael (may peace be upon them all) by offering sacrificial animals.

The next day, they will come down and collect small stones in order to perform the symbolic ritual known as the “stoning of the devil.”

The Hajj, an annual religious gathering of significant magnitude, stands as one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, obligatory for all financially capable Muslims to undertake at least once in their lifetime.

This year’s pilgrimage marks a notable milestone as it will be the first occasion without the constraints enforced during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Saudi health ministry, During the Hajj season, 32 hospitals, 140 emergency health centers, 190 ambulances, and a medical staff of 32,000 individuals will provide round-the-clock services to prospective pilgrims.
Saudi authorities have divided Mina into 10 zones. Hajj pilgrims are being transported to the Mina tent village via buses.

A significant number of prospective pilgrims are preferring to follow the tradition of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) and are embarking on the pilgrimage by foot to Mina, a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains, located approximately five kilometers from the Grand Mosque.

Pakistan Hajj Mission has deployed Moavineen-e-hujjaj in Mina, equipped with maps to guide Hujjaj to Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. The guiding posts of Pakistani Muavineen have already been established in Mina and Jamarat.

In Mina, two camp offices have been set up by the Pakistan Hajj Mission to provide continuous assistance to prospective pilgrims. These offices will include different departments like lost and found, guidance, complaints, and a monitoring desk, ensuring 24/7 support for the pilgrims.

A shuttle train service will be available to 63 percent of the Hujjaj during the Hajj days, while the remaining 37 percent will be transported to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah via buses.

The tents allocated for Pakistani pilgrims are located in close proximity to roads numbers 50, 62, and 64.
In 2020, the number of pilgrims performing the Hajj was less than 10,000, and in 2021, approximately 60,000 individuals participated. However, all of these pilgrims were residents of Saudi Arabia, as the authorities prohibited international pilgrims from attending. The previous year saw around 900,000 individuals undertaking the pilgrimage, as Saudi Arabia permitted a limited number of pilgrims from overseas.

Operation Room to expand Hajj coverage  

Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari has visited Press Operation Room of this year’s Hajj season 2023 which is overseen by the Ministry with participation of 50 government agencies.
The Operation Room is working round the clock to facilitate media persons/reporters, covering annual pilgrimage.

On the occasion, Al-Dosari was briefed on services and work mechanisms of the Room and also checked on work progress at Virtual Press Center (VPC) which provides media services including videos and images to more than 1100 local and international reporters covering this year’s Hajj season.

Since its launch, the VPC has made more than 1500 press materials available to journalists and will also be airing Hajj press conferences in five languages for three days starting on Monday.

The minister has also paid a visit to Press Operation Room of Saudi Press Agency (SPA) through which supervision and coordination are maintained with field reporters at the Holy sites. The room is one of four other media centers established by SPA at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Al-Awali that also support international news agencies. The Minister was also briefed on SPA and Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)’s collaborative efforts in order expand Hajj coverage.

He also met with the media liaison officers of several government agencies participating in covering the Hajj season with whom he discussed ways to enhance cooperation and joint press work.

The minister also paid a visit to the headquarters of the General Commission For Audiovisual Media, where he was briefed on services and facilities it provides to local and international reporters covering the Hajj rituals.
He also checked on the work at the headquarters of the Ministry of Media at Arafat and the technologies it uses in covering annual pilgrimage.

He then paid a visit to the studios of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority at Jamaraat Bridge and was briefed on technologies used in the coverage of Hajj rituals.

He visited the media center of SPA at Arafat which is equipped with all necessary preparations to facilitate work of journalists and international media partners at the site.

Later, Al-Dosari visited Ministry’s Headquarters at Mina site and checked on its preparedness and services. He also toured media center allocated for international journalists inside headquarters of the Ministry where he met with several journalists covering the pilgrimage.

Minister Al-Dosari thanked all employees of the Ministry and affiliated authorities who participate in covering the Hajj season, stressing importance of exerting more efforts to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts and keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Crown Prince to serve pilgrims and facilitate Hajj journey.