By Furera Mohammed, Muna-Saudi Arabia
Pilgrims from Kwara State, who are on a holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, have arrived at the tent city of Muna to begin the major Hajj rites.
The pilgrims, donning white seamless ihram garments, commenced their slow and steady trek to Muna last night in preparation for the Day of Arafat, scheduled for tomorrow.
The Kwara State contingent to the 2024 Muslim Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, comprising 3,102 pilgrims, has now settled in Muna. This number is part of the 1.5 million pilgrims expected to perform this year’s pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
Upon their arrival in Muna, the Kwara pilgrims were warmly welcomed by officials from the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, who helped them settle into their accommodations.
The pilgrims are now preparing for the first day of Hajj, which will commence today.
The pilgrims from Kwara expressed their gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to participate in Hajj, emphasizing the significance of the pilgrimage in their lives.
Hajj rituals begin on the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah, one of the months in the Islamic calendar. Today marks the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah. Tomorrow, the pilgrims will proceed to Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Rahma, to observe the Day of Arafat.
In the evening of the ninth day, pilgrims will depart from the Plain of Arafat and proceed to Musdalifah, where they will observe both evening prayers (Maghrib and Isha).
At Musdalifah, pilgrims will pick pebbles, relax briefly overnight, and then move to the Jamarat on the tenth day, which falls on Sunday, to throw pebbles at the Shaitan.
The tenth day also marks Eid-ul-Kabir, when Muslims around the world are expected to slaughter sacrificial rams in celebration. The ritual of throwing pebbles will be performed for three consecutive days, from the tenth to the twelfth day of Dhul-Hijjah.
The Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board continues to ensure the well-being and safety of the pilgrims, making necessary arrangements for a smooth and fulfilling pilgrimage experience.
