Tents of Mina await pilgrims as millions prepare for journey of their lives‎

Mecca, Saudi Arabia - From delayed flights to overflowing airports and slow-moving‎ traffic, nothing has dampened the spirits of millions who are on the cusp of a spiritual journey in and around Mecca, they are bound to remember for their whole lives.
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‎On Thursday evening, streets and houses were intermittently dotted with extra lights, giving them a festive look, while security check posts were making mandatory screenings as efficient and quick as possible.

While a large number of pilgrims are spending days and nights praying at holy mosques in Mecca and Madinah, some were seen strolling on the streets of Mecca, some buying supplies to last through demanding days ahead.

‎On Friday morning, pilgrims staying at a distance from the holy mosque (Masjid al-Haram) started early to reach in time for the weekly prayers, despite soaring temperatures.

A large number of volunteers have already taken positions helping pilgrims get to their destinations and arrange logistics.

Meanwhile, there is still an influx of pilgrims arriving to Mecca. Saudi Ambassador to Denmark and the Republic of Lithuania, Fahd bin Maeouf Al-Ruwaili, held a farewell party at Copenhagen Airport on Friday to transport Danish pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform their Hajj rituals.

He explained that the embassy has completed all necessary measures for granting visas to the pilgrims of Denmark.

Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic missions abroad have issued more than1.7 million Hajj visas for 2018 as of Thursday.

- With SPA