ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Hajj mission on Monday commended Saudi authorities for making exemplary arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, after all Pakistani pilgrims arrived in Mina ahead of the Hajj’s climax at Mount Arafat.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage includes series of rites completed over four days in Makkah and its surroundings in the west of Saudi Arabia.
Millions of pilgrims arrived at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Sunday to perform Tawaf Al-Qudum as the biggest annual pilgrimage in several years began. It is the first tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) that pilgrims undertake after assuming the state of ihram.
On the 8th of Dul Hijjah, known as the Day of Tarwiyah, pilgrims embark on the journey to Mina and spend an entire day and night, utilizing this time to prepare themselves mentally and physically for the profound spiritual experience that awaits them at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is believed to have delivered his final sermon.
“All Pakistani Hajj pilgrims on Monday reached Mina through buses where they will stay in the allotted camps tonight,” Muhammad Umer Butt, a spokesperson for the Pakistani religious affairs ministry told Arab News over the phone from Mina.
“This year, the Saudi authorities have made excellent arrangements and increased facilities in camps, especially improved air conditioning.”
Pakistani Hajj pilgrims are seen writing down their issues at the Main Control Office to facilitate pilgrims at Mina, Saudi Arabia on June 26, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan's religious affairs ministry)
The Saudi authorities have established two main hospitals, while dispensaries have been set up for the pilgrims in every camp street in Mina, the spokesperson added.
The Pakistani Hajj mission has established a Main Control Office (MCO) in Mina to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims.
“So far, 81,500 [Pakistani] pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia under the government scheme,” he said.
Saudi Arabia this year reinstated Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and scrapped the upper age limit of 65 in January. More than 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme this year, and the rest have been facilitated by private tour operators.
An Information Cell has been set up within the MCO to ensure smooth flow of information and communication, according to the Pakistani authorities.
Additionally, a dedicated Lost and Found Cell has been established to help pilgrims retrieve any misplaced belongings.
