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Annual Hajj rituals continuing in Makkah under strict anti-COVID measures
July 18, 2021

File Photo

Annual Hajj rituals are continuing in Makkah under strict anti-COVID-19 measures for second consecutive year.

In view of the pandemic, the Saudi Government has allowed only 60,000 people to perform Hajj this year, including Saudi citizens and Muslim diaspora living in Saudi Arabia. 

Putting on Ihram, the pilgrims will remain in Mina until Fajr next morning, the 9th Dhul Hijjah. Then the Hujjaj will proceed to the valley of Arafat and offer Duhr and Asr prayers.

The Hajj sermon will be delivered at Masjid-e-Nimra in Arafat. On the same day, pilgrims will leave for Muzadalifah after sunset without offering Magrhrib prayer to be offered along with Isha in Muzdalifah.

They will spend the whole night in Muzalifah under open sky and rest there until Fajr prayer.

In Muzdalifah, the Hujjaj will pick up 70 pebbles to perform ritual of Rammi by stoning the devil.

After offering Fajar prayer on 10th of Dhul Hijjah in Muzdalifah, pilgrims will move to Jamaraat and pelt stones on the largest Jamra, representing the devil. Then a sacrifice would be made in which a lamb, sheep, camel or cow is slaughtered.

After this, men's heads are shaved, while women cut a lock of their hair and male pilgrims remove their Ihrams and wear normal clothes. Then the Hujjaj will do Tawaf-e-Ziarat Kaabatu Allah and Sai and return to their tents in Mina.

The pilgrims will pelt seven pebbles on three each Jamra or Shiatan on 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah and leave Mina before sunset.

Finally, pilgrims will do a farewell Tawaf in Masjid-al Haram before leaving the holy land to complete their Hajj.