Hajj Pilgrimage Begins Amidst Regional Iran War Concerns

Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of a region deeply shaken by the Iran war.

Saudi authorities said last week that some 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom.

That is 11,000 more than last year, despite concerns in the region about a resumption of the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

Before a fragile ceasefire took effect last month, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes.

Two civilians living in the central city of al-Kharj were killed in an Iranian attack on 8 March, along with a US service member stationed at the nearby Prince Sultan Air Base.

The Saudi defence ministry posted a video on social media last week showing air defence batteries on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca, which is in the country's west.

"The air defence forces are responsible for protecting the skies over the holy sites and dealing with all aerial threats, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of the guests," the post said.

Mohammed Chahada, an Egyptian in his 50s, was among the pilgrims who expressed their hope that the US and Iran could agree a peace deal.

"The war in Iran has affected the entire world. Nobody wants wars or harm to countries and peoples," he told AFP news agency as he left Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site.

Other pilgrims said they were grateful that they had been able to get to Saudi Arabia after months of uncertainty, air traffic disruption, and surging travel costs.

"I have wanted to perform the pilgrimage my entire life, for 40 or 50 years," said Jreish Mohammed, a 68-year-old Moroccan. "And this year, my dream came true."

The Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam and takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the journey that every adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their life if they can afford it and are physically able.

The pilgrims also had to contend with temperatures of 45C (113F) on the first day of this year's Hajj, when they headed to Mecca's Grand Mosque and walked around the cube-shaped Kaaba seven times - a ritual known as tawaf.

They then travelled to Mina, 5km (3 miles) away, where they will spend the night in tents before heading to Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his final sermon. The day spent praying there is considered the climax of the Hajj.