Over 1.5 million pilgrims begin Hajj amid regional tensions

More than 1.5 million pilgrims have entered Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, with additional arrivals expected. The journey to Mecca fulfills lifelong religious aspirations for many participants. Pilgrims describe intense gratitude and a sense of blessing after reaching the Grand Mosque and circling the Kaaba in extreme heat. Volunteers provide water and misting fans to help people cope with temperatures before the move to Mina’s tent city. Many pilgrims view Hajj as both physically demanding and spiritually transformative, describing it as a “hard reset” and drawing inspiration from acts of charity and mutual support. The pilgrimage occurs while the United States, Iran, and regional allies discuss an agreement tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing an energy crisis.

"More than 1.5 million pilgrims have entered the kingdom by Friday, with more expected. For many, reaching Mecca is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim said she felt overwhelming gratitude to have made the journey required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able. I am in a state of blessing and happiness, she said in Mecca on Sunday. It's an indescribable feeling, truly. Thank God, I am in a blessing."

"Ahead of the move to the vast tent city of Mina, pilgrims have been circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in sweltering heat, some shielding themselves with umbrellas and handheld fans. Volunteers hand out water and misting fans to help people cope with the intense temperatures. For many, Hajj is both physically demanding and spiritually transformative. This Hajj is, in effect, a hard reset for me, said Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist from the United States, speaking from Mina."

"It is for many pilgrims the most difficult thing they will ever do in their lives. But nothing this meaningful is ever going to be easy. He said he drew inspiration from seeing fellow pilgrims compete with one another in giving charity and helping each other along the way. The pilgrimage unfolds as the United States, Iran and regional allies discuss a memorandum of understanding that Washington says could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease an energy crisis triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran's cl"

Read at www.aljazeera.com