Millions of Muslims travel from all over the world to the Holy City of Makkah al-Mukarama in Saudi Arabia each year for the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings in history.
The pilgrimage this year, which took place from July 17 to 22, drew almost 1.8 million visitors. 11,650 Somali pilgrims were among them, based on official government data.
For the Somali pilgrims, there were difficulties along the way, though. Minister Muqtar Robow of Somalia’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs claims that two males and two women pilgrims from Somalia perished while performing the Hajj. Their demise’s cause is currently unknown.
Along with the fatalities, 60 Somali pilgrims got sick while on the journey. However, after obtaining prompt care, the majority of them made a full recovery. During the Hajj, Minister Robow, who was present in Makkah al-Mukarama, discussed the difficulties faced by Somali pilgrims, such as a delay in the buses delivering lunch. But this problem was quickly addressed and fixed.
Despite these difficulties, there were a substantial number of Somali pilgrims that participated in the Hajj. Indicating that there may have been more Somali pilgrims there than the official government count, Minister Robow confirmed the presence of more Somalis of various nationalities.
For Muslims who have the means to travel, performing the Hajj is a religious obligation to them.
The pilgrimage offers Muslims from various backgrounds the chance to come together in a common act of devotion while also providing a time for spiritual reflection.
As the country that hosts the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places a high priority on safeguarding everyone’s safety and well-being. The Saudi government has put in place a variety of precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 during the pilgrimage, including limiting attendance and requiring confirmation of vaccination, in addition to provide medical treatment and other crucial services.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a major occasion for Muslims worldwide, and the presence of pilgrims from Somalia emphasises the diversity of the Muslim ummah.