Muslim pilgrims visit Hira Cave near Makkah ahead of Hajj

MECCA, Saudi Arabia – Some 2 million Muslims from across the world are performing the Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

 As the six-day rituals will begin from Monday, many pilgrims who have arrived in Makkah are visiting the Cave of Hira.

 The cave is some four kilometers from Makkah on the mountain of Jabal al-Nur.

 Pilgrims prayed throughout the night in and around the cave.

 With 3.7 meters in length and 1.60 meters in width, it is notable because Prophet Muhammad is believed to have received first revelations from Allah through angel Jibreel in this cave.

 Pilgrims went to the top of the mountain to perform the morning prayers.

 Rauf Kencbesu, who came from Türkiye to perform Hajj said it is amazing to be at the place.

 He said all Muslims should experience this. One can feel here what difficulties our Prophet Muhammad experienced.

 Another pilgrim from Türkiye, Yunus Inal, said no matter how difficult the road may seem, you do not feel any difficulty when you come here.

 He said even very old people climb up to see the cave.

 The pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba in the city of Makkah, is one of the five pillars of Islam.

 A Muslim is required to perform the Hajj at least once if they have the means.

 Saudi Arabia had limited the Hajj to domestic pilgrims for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 A total of 60,000 pilgrims performed the Hajj last year compared to around 2.5 million in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

 Saudi Arabia held downsized Hajj in the last three years due to restrictions imposed to stem the outbreak of COVID-19.

 In 2022, over 899,999 Muslim pilgrims visited Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, according to official figures.

In 2021, the kingdom welcomed up to 60,000 pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia amid COVID-19 restrictions, while only 10,000 performed the ritual in 2020.