A number of social media activists have documented footage, some of which appeared poignant and others showed the joy of pilgrims as they arrived in the Holy Land to perform Hajj this year.
In a scene that reflects the desire and longing for the Hajj, the young Algerian Shaaban Zarbi insisted on defying the odds and embarking on a journey he started from the eastern city of Khenchela to Saudi Arabia, after his first attempt to perform Umrah in Ramadan and was prevented by the Egyptian authorities.
Shaaban explained that after the Egyptian refusal to pass him, he was forced to transport his car via ship to Turkey, from where he continued his way through Syria and Jordan to reach the territory of the Kingdom.
Zribi confirmed that his journey took 17 days in his old Renault 4 car and wished to obtain a license to perform the Hajj, because he arrived in Saudi Arabia via a personal entry visa.
On the other hand, a video clip documented a touching moment of an elderly Egyptian woman who was sitting next to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, when she saw a young Saudi man who reminded her of her son.
The video clip published by the tweeter Bassam Al-Fifi – through his account on Tik Tok – shows a touching moment where the woman shed tears in front of the young man, and he said that she remembered her deceased son when she saw him, and her prayers poured in for him.
The elderly Egyptian spoke of her son: "He died on January 5, Jada. Jada would have replied, "I am your son, I am your son, you are my mother," while promising to see her in Egypt, where she lives in the Giza area.
@iibessooo
In #مكة she came to #الحج she saw #بسام_الفيفي and remembered her dead 💔 son
♬ Original Sound – Bassam Al Faifi – The Spirit of Tourism
Despite her illness, an elderly Palestinian woman managed to fulfill her dream of performing the Hajj after 25 years of attempts.
Journalist Hani Abu Rizk posted a video documenting an interview of the elderly Palestinian, saying, "Today this is indescribable. For years I have been registering for the hajj and every time they give me back the money (money)."
"I was afraid to die and not go on pilgrimage, and I went to Umrah in the last 10 days in Ramadan in 2014, but I did not get bored and registered for Hajj last year and my name came out, but they returned me because I was old and the Corona virus was spreading," she added.
She continued, "This year Hadi (this) came out my name and the name of my husband, praise be to God, the joy is not Taylani (do not help me), although I am sick and tired, but I want (I want) to fulfill the imposition of God and our Lord appreciates us."
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A post shared by Hani Aburezeq Hani Aburezeq (@hani.aburezeq)
Abu Rizk also posted another video documenting the happiness and joy of Palestinian pilgrims while in Mecca.
The pilgrims are shown chanting the song "Rayha Fein Ya Haja" in the Egyptian dialect together and with great happiness, a song that sings about pilgrims.
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A post shared by Hani Aburezeq Hani Aburezeq (@hani.aburezeq)
Syrian activist Mohammed al-Balas posted a video of the moment Syria met her brother after her arrival in um al-Qura, and the woman could not bear the tears that flowed after a 10-year separation.
@alblaas
She met her brother after 10 years of absence ❤️
♬ Shadwos – Mohamed Aly
His compatriot Mohammed al-Faisal also posted a video clip of him carrying a small child on his shoulder while circumambulating the Kaaba, only to find out that he was a child from the city of Mecca. Al-Faisal commented on the video, saying, "So we completed the circumambulation together, with my new friend Mohammed."
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A post shared by Mohammed Al-Faisal (@mhmd.alfaisal)
On the other hand, citizens organized a distinguished reception for dozens of Egyptian pilgrims upon their arrival in Medina through the various ports, in preparation for performing the Hajj.
@osaahmedosa
🇸🇦 #egypt #ksa #dubai #dubai #madina #jeddah #sudan #sudan #ksa
♬ original sound – Ben Othman✈️
Social media users circulated video clips, which showed the joy of pilgrims and their happiness with the sudden reception of songs and Zamzam water, and a gift represented in copies of the Holy Quran before scattering roses on them.
@osaahmedosa
🇸🇦 #egypt #ksa #dubai #madina #jeddah #sudan #ksa #suadi #qatar
♬ original sound – Ben Othman✈️
Activist al-Balas observed the overwhelming emotions of Saudis welcoming pilgrims from northern Syria upon their arrival in Mecca.
This is your second ❤️🙏
country, see how the Saudis ❤️received the pilgrims of Syria in the #مكة. pic.twitter.com/x6zsdV3BKA
— Mohamed Belaas (@blaas083) June 19, 2023
The arrival of Syrian pilgrims to Mecca witnessed a celebration that included the presentation of gifts, Arabic coffee, sweets and the Holy Quran.
A Saudi singer welcomed the pilgrims from Syria in his own way, chanting beautiful songs and welcoming phrases.
in a beautiful way Saudi singer receives Syrian pilgrims in #مكة_المكرمة pic.twitter.com/MM0Kj4aFfm
— Mohamed Belaas (@blaas083) June 19, 2023
Within days, the eyes of the Islamic world will turn to the "Revelation Landing", where the Hajj rituals begin for the season (1444 AH / 2023 AD), and standing in Arafa is its most important manifestation and its largest corner, amid unprecedented preparations from the Kingdom, and official estimates of an "exceptional, distinctive and safe" Hajj season.
In February, Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah announced that the kingdom expects to host more than two million pilgrims during this year's season, after announcing the return of the number and age of pilgrims to what they were before the Corona pandemic.