With tears, but overflowing with a sense of joy, Chinese citizen Ahmed Al-Sini proudly put on his white ihram garments and headed to Mecca to perform his first Hajj.
«This year marks the first year of Hajj applications after the pandemic, and as a young Muslim, I wanted to complete the fifth pillar, as the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: «Whoever wants to perform Hajj should hasten,»" he told Arab News.
Al-Sini is a Chinese expatriate who lives and studies in Medina, majoring in Islamic studies at the Islamic University of Medina.
«When I heard that my name had been selected as one of the luckiest people to perform Hajj, I burst into tears. I was very happy to be here and heard that the organization of the place and the campaign is better than in previous years.».
Arab News met Al-Sini in Mina on July 7, the first day of pilgrims departing for Hajj. They stay overnight in Mina to pray and follow in the footsteps of the Prophet.
Upon entering Mina, people experience different aromas, such as delicious spices, as they pass by the South Asian section. Each Hajj campaign strives to treat pilgrims to dishes they are accustomed to eating in their home countries.
Arab News noticed several pilgrims enjoying the weather and snacking on the sidewalk of Mina — a husband and wife from South Africa.
«My husband and I applied for Hajj in 2016, and this year we were accepted, so in South Africa there is a long waiting list, so praise God for the blessing,» Khadija said in an interview with Arab News.
«Everything is very well organized, and even booking the package was very easy, as we paid for everything in advance online, and we only needed to come here to perform the ritual. It is more convenient and simpler than the way our parents did it, so we are grateful to them,» the couple added.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that this year's Hajj season will welcome 1 million pilgrims, ensuring their safety and quality of services despite the continued presence of COVID-19.