Pilgrims in Mina for Hajj

"Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" ("Here I am, my Lord, here I am"), chanted the faithful CAIRO— Nearly three million pilgrims flocked to the arid valley of Mina early on Wednesday, November 25, for the start of the soul-searching journey of hajj. "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" ("Here I am, my Lord, here I am"), chanted the faithful walking or boarding buses to Mina, five kilometers east of the holy city of Makkah. Pilgrims started hajj rites early Wednesday with the tawaf, the circling seven times of the cubic Kaaba in the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The faithful will spend the day, known as "Yawm at-Tarwiya," in prayers and meditation, sleeping the night in fire-proof tents. At dawn on Thursday, November 26, the sea of white-clad pilgrims will begin moving towards Mount `Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered his last sermon 14 centuries ago. Standing on Mount `Arafat, about 15 km east of Makkah, before sunset marks the climax of hajj and pilgrims who fail to make it on time must repeat their pilgrimage in future. They will then return to Mina a day later for the animal sacrifice ritual, marking the start of the four-day `Eid Al-Adha. The pilgrims will also start as of Friday, November 27, the stone-throwing ritual. World Muslims Flock to Hajj (Folder) Pilgrims hurl seven pebbles from behind a fence or from the overhead Jamarat Bridge every day for three days at each of the three 18-meter-high concrete pillars symbolizing the devil. Satan appeared on the same site to Prophet Abraham, son Isma`il and wife Hagar, who each threw seven stones at him. Around three million pilgrims from over 160 countries are performing hajj this year. Every able-bodied adult Muslim -- who can financially afford the trip -- must perform hajj once in their lifetime. Safe Saudi authorities promised a safe hajj. "We will not allow any surprise attacks to occur because we have security plans devised on the basis of past experiences in serving pilgrims," said Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour Al-Turki. More than 100,000 security personnel have been deployed to secure the pilgrims in Makkah and Medina, in addition to 20,000 medical staff. The Jamarat Bridge is also being monitoring by 600 CCTV cameras, while the Grand Mosque and its surroundings are watched by 1,852 cameras. "More than 20,000 security men have been sent to Jamrat Bridge to control crowding and thus ensure safety of pilgrims," Al-Turki said. The authorities have banned the use of small vehicles in the holy sites. "The decision to ban small vehicles carrying less than 25 passengers is being implemented after studying it over the past two years," said the spokesman. "With the speed train project for the holy sites reaching its final stage of completion authorities have found that it is time to implement the ban on small vehicles." The Health Ministry has also confirmed taking necessary measures to ensure pilgrims' safety and avoid the spread of the swine flu virus. "There is no fear of a swine flu outbreak in hajj largely because of the early precautionary measures being taken to deal with a breakout," said spokesman Khaled Al-Mirghalani. All hospitals and medical centers in Makkah and the holy sites are fully prepared to receive flu cases. There are also well-laid plans to counter natural calamities such as heavy rains and floods, said Khaled Al-Habshi from the Red Crescent.