Saudi Arabia Hajj Updates: Millions Now Gathered at Mount Arafat for Holy Ceremonies; Iran Will Hold Alternate Event
Hajj 2016 is attended by more than 1.5 million people, but Iranian devotees will not attend this year's celebrations and will hold alternate event.
The holy pilgrimage known as the Hajj has reached its final stages as more than 1.5 million devotees gathered at Mount Arafat to offer prayers and to hear the Quran being recited. Muslims in unprecedented numbers formed at the site starting at sunrise.
Sad news was also disseminated to the people who were gathered. Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia's top cleric, will not be able to deliver the Hajj sermon because of health reasons. This is the first time that it happened in 35 years that Aziz al-Sheikh served as a cleric. The traditional sermon is one of the highlights of the Hajj.
Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh also declared in a statement that Iranians were not considered Muslims. This sparked comments from the supreme leader of Iraq Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who made negative remarks about how Saudi Arabia manages the Hajj.
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Iran holds alternate Hajj event
Iranian Muslims will not attend the pilgrimage to Hajj this year because of Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh's comments. An alternate event is slated for Saturday and will be held at Karbala in Iraq.
Aside from the harsh comments of Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, Iran will not be attending the celebrations this year because of last year's Hajj pilgrimage, which killed more than 2,000 people including more than 400 Iranians. The two countries do not have diplomatic ties and are in conflict over the issues related to Yemen and Syria.
Ayatollah's absence not cause for worry
Those who attended the pilgrimage were not shaken because of Ayatollah's absence. Reports said that the pilgrims were enthusiastic and felt closer to their god. Some even praised the organizers of the event because this year, all the details were ironed out and everything was well organized.
A few words about the Hajj
The Hajj is known as one of the five pillars of Islam and it is expected for a Muslim to visit the site at least once in his lifetime. They also believe that it is in the Hajj that the prophet Muhammad called on to the people and gave his last sermon.
Year after year, the Hajj attracts Muslims from around the world. This year, it has been estimated that at least 1.3 million devotees were from outside Saudi Arabia. Most of these followers were from Indonesia, which is the most populous Muslim nation in the world. Tents have been provided for devotees. White fireproof tents were set up at Mina for more than 2.5 million attendees.
