More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears
More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have begun the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia amid concerns over the ongoing Iran war. Despite regional tensions and extreme temperatures, many pilgrims expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage. The Hajj is a significant religious event for Muslims, requiring every adult to undertake it at least once if possible.
- ▪Saudi authorities reported that 1.51 million pilgrims arrived from outside the kingdom, an increase of 11,000 from last year.
- ▪Pilgrims faced temperatures of 45C on the first day of Hajj while performing rituals at Mecca's Grand Mosque.
- ▪The Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam and is a mandatory pilgrimage for Muslims who can afford it.
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More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears40 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDavid GrittenEPAThe pilgrims had to contend with temperatures of 45C on the first day of the HajjMuslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of a region deeply shaken by the Iran war.Saudi authorities said last week that some 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom.That is 11,000 more than last year, despite concerns in the region about a resumption of the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.Before a fragile ceasefire took effect last month, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes.Two civilians living in…
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