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Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have entered the formal stages of Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, as they began their journey to Mina dressed in seamless white garments known as Ihram.
Among them are 86,958 Bangladeshis who, like others from around the world, reached Mina early on Wednesday after Fajr prayers, before the time for Zuhr.
As they walked, many chanted “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik”.
The Hajj is mandatory at least once in a lifetime for every financially and physically able Muslim.
This year, nearly 1.47 million international devotees have arrived in Saudi Arabia, and with locals included, the total is expected to reach around 2 million.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Dhaka, the vast plains of Mina are now resonating with chants of devotion, as attendees, clad in two unstitched white sheets, abandon material desires in search of forgiveness and nearness to Allah.
From Mina, the pilgrims will move to Arafat before sunrise on Thursday and are required to reach there before noon.
ARAFAT, QURBANI AND TAWAF
The pinnacle of Hajj begins with the congregation at Arafat, where pilgrims gather from noon until sunset, praying and reflecting in silence or through collective supplication.
The khutbah, or Hajj sermon, is delivered at Masjid al-Namirah, addressing the global Muslim community.
The next day, Eid-ul-Azha is observed through the ritual of animal sacrifice, Qurbani.
On 9 Zil Hajj (Thursday), pilgrims must remain in Arafat from before Zuhr prayers until sunrise.
Afterward, without performing Maghrib prayers there, they proceed to Muzdalifah.
At Muzdalifah, participants perform Maghrib and Isha prayers together and spend the night under the open sky.
After Fajr prayers, they depart for Mina, chanting: “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik”.
During their stay at Muzdalifah, pilgrims collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the Satan, or devil, done at night or early morning
On the third day of Hajj, 10 Zil Hajj, devoteed return from Muzdalifah to Mina to throw seven pebbles three times at the Jamarat pillars.
Following the stoning at the largest Jamarah, pilgrims perform Qurbani. Those using Saudi government services receive confirmation of their sacrifice by SMS.
They then shave or trim their hair and change into regular clothes before performing Tawaf of the Kaaba.
The Prophet (PBUH) performed Zuhr prayers at Masjid al-Haram after Tawaf.
After Tawaf, pilgrims run or walk seven times between Safa and Marwah hills, encouraged to drink ample Zamzam water.
On 11 and 12 Zil Hajj, pilgrims remain in Mina to throw 21 pebbles daily--seven each at the small, medium, and large Jamarat.
If attendees perform Tawaf before or after stoning, they must return to Mina for the night.
Women, elderly and those with health issues are advised to stone during nighttime to avoid crowds.
Hajj authorities now schedule stoning times and provide directions in Bengali to ease congestion.
Pilgrims stay overnight in Mina from 10 to 12 Zil Hajj. Those wishing to leave early on 12 Zil Hajj must depart before sunset.
If unable to leave in time, they must stay until 13 Zil Hajj and perform an additional 21 pebble stoning.
Before leaving Makkah, pilgrims perform the Farewell Tawaf. Any voluntary Tawaf after 12 Zil Hajj also counts as Farewell Tawaf.
RETURN FLIGHTS FROM JUNE 10
Pilgrims from Bangladesh travelled to Saudi Arabia this year aboard Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas flights.
Pre-Hajj flights began on April 29 and concluded on June 1.
This year, 70 lead agencies from the private sector are overseeing Hajj operations from Bangladesh.
Return flights are scheduled to begin on June 10 and continue until July 10.The religious affairs ministy has confirmed the deaths of 17 Bangladeshi pilgrims during this year’s Hajj.
The most recent death was reported on Thursday.
Mohammad Khalilur Rahman, 70, from Pabna’s Pangsa Upazila, passed away while staying in Makkah.
He had travelled under a private Hajj package.
Among the deceased, 16 were men and one was a woman. As many as 10 died in Makkah and seven in Madinah.