Over 2.5 million Muslims from over 160 countries performing the 2023 hajj have moved to Mina, the city of tent in the outskirt of the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia as the hajj rites commences.

The annual pilgrimage began with movement of pilgrims from Mecca, to Mina, from where they are expected to move to the Mount ‘Arafah on Tuesday.

“This year, we will witness the largest Hajj pilgrimage in history,” said an official at the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

More than 2.5 million Muslims are expected to take part, as coronavirus pandemic restrictions in place since 2020 have been fully relaxed.

That year, just 10,000 people were permitted to participate; 59,000 in 2021; and last year there was a cap of one million people.

“I am living the most beautiful days of my life,” Abdelazim, a 65-year-old Egyptian who saved for 20 years to pay the $6000 cost he needed to attend, told the AFP news agency at the site.

According to Al-Jazeerah, on Sunday evening, the pilgrims have started making their way to Mina, about 8km (5 miles) from Mecca’s al-Masjid al-Haram, before they gather at Mount Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon.

Mina is prepared for the pilgrims, with food supplies brought in and security forces deployed.

This year’s Hajj is a challenge, taking place in the nearly 45-degree-Celsius heat, the date for the pilgrimage dependent on the lunar calendar.

Saudi authorities said more than 32,000 health workers and thousands of ambulances are on standby to treat cases of heatstroke, dehydration and exhaustion.

The Islamic ritual is obligatory for every able-bodied Muslim adult who has the financial means to take part, forming one of the five pillars of the religion.

The physically and emotionally challenging experience is meant to cleanse followers of sin and bring them closer to Allah.

While an expensive ritual, the journey of Hajj inspires hope for many, even if they hail from parts of the world besieged by war, poverty or occupation. Many save what little money they have for years, to be able to afford it.

Four groups of pilgrims left Gaza last week. Meanwhile, pilgrims from northwestern Syria streamed through border crossings with Turkey. And Yemenis boarded the first direct flight to Saudi Arabia since 2016 for the pilgrimage.

Hajj rites

Movement to Mina, the tent city

The pilgrims spend the 8th day of the Month of Hajj in Mina, setting out the next morning at dawn. Most of the time in Mina is spent in prayer, supplications and remembering Allah (God).

A day on Arafat – On the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims move to the mount of ‘Arafah. The Day of Arafat is considered the most important day for the hajj. After making the 15km (nine-mile) journey from Mina, pilgrims spend the day at Mount Mercy in reverent prayer. This is known as wuquf – the act of standing before Allah from noon to sunset.

The site is particularly revered as the place where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon.

It is the sunnah of the holy prophet to fast on this day, except for the pilgrims, as such expiates for two years sins.

Heading to Muzdalifah