(ZENIT News / La Meca, 26.01.2024).- The end of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions facilitated the arrival of “the greatest number of pilgrims in history to the “holy” city of Mecca, reaching a record number of visitors to the Saudi Arabian Kingdom last year, in fulfilment of a specific commandment of Islam.
Tawfiq Rabia, Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrimage Minister, said in a press conference that the Kingdom received more than 13 million pilgrims in 2023. This expression of Muslims’ faith is a sign of world religious vitality.
Rabia also referred to the existence of “several projects underway to develop Mecca’s infrastructure, at a cost that exceeds US$1,333million.” The Saudi Authorities are following closely the execution of these projects and hope to finish them in keeping with a specific program. Arabs call the major pilgrimage “hach,” whose objective is to visit Mecca on specific dates. In 2023 it was held in June and close to two million Muslims from around the world took part in it.
The ”hach” begins with the Kaaba ring road and completes seven turns anticlockwise around the “holy stone,” a course that is compulsory for every Muslim at least once in a lifetime, whenever health and resources allow it. This celebration takes place during the Feast of the Sacrifice or Aid al Adha.
There is another minor pilgrimage to Mecca called Umra, which can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Pilgrims also visit other sacred places of Mecca, such as the Masyid al-Haram Mosque, the Zamzam Well, the Mina and Mount Arafat, and 12 other places in addition to the Kaaba.
