Hajj begins as pilgrims arrive in Mina for day of Tarwiyah

Chanting the Talbiyah — “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. You have no partner, here I am” — the faithful made their way to Mina, also known as the Tent City. The movement of pilgrims marks the start of a deeply spiritual journey, which will continue through the coming days to Arafat and Muzdalifah.

This year, more than 1.47 million international pilgrims are joined by hundreds of thousands of domestic worshippers, reaffirming Hajj’s status as one of the largest religious gatherings globally.

Located in a valley just five kilometres east of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Mina plays a pivotal role in the Hajj rites. The area is home to over 100,000 fire-resistant white tents, purpose-built to accommodate more than 2.6 million pilgrims. Designed with modern safety and hygiene in mind, the facilities in Mina reflect a remarkable combination of spiritual devotion and advanced planning.

The infrastructure, including an extensive network of roads, tunnels, and bridges, allows for efficient movement between the three key pilgrimage sites — Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah — and exemplifies the logistical sophistication underpinning the Kingdom’s Hajj operations.

Dr Mohammed Al Qarni, Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the General Transportation Centre of the Royal Commission for Mecca City and the Holy Sites, confirmed that the transport of pilgrims to Arafat will take place through three main systems. The Mashair train is expected to carry 316,000 pilgrims, while traditional and multi-modal systems will facilitate the journey for another 720,000.

Meanwhile, Al Khayf Mosque in Mina, an important site of prayer during Hajj, has undergone significant enhancements. Prayer areas have been expanded with rugs spread across 27,000 square metres, while new smart air-conditioning systems with CO₂ sensors and automated cooling have been installed to ensure comfort amid the intense summer heat.

With high temperatures forecast, Saudi authorities have scaled up efforts to safeguard the health of pilgrims. Dr Abdullah Asir, Deputy Minister of Health, announced the deployment of 50,000 medical and administrative personnel — the largest medical team in Hajj history. The Ministry of Health has allocated over 700 hospital beds specifically for heat-related conditions, alongside three field hospitals and 71 emergency response points.

Ministry spokesperson Eng. Khaled Al Tala’a confirmed that the health of pilgrims remains stable and that the overall healthcare capacity has increased by 60% compared to last year. More than 98,000 medical services have already been delivered since pilgrims began arriving in the Kingdom.

As the sacred rituals of Hajj continue, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s detailed preparations highlight its unwavering commitment to providing a secure, dignified, and spiritually enriching experience for every pilgrim, reports UNB.