On the first day of the pilgrimage the millions of devotees that have traveled from far and wide would now make their way from Makkah to Mina, a small village located east of the city. Mina is an enormous tent city.The Saudi government spent billions of riyals in erecting fire proof tents after the hajj was marred by a fire a few years ago causing damage and loss of life. My dads sister was present that year during the hajj and she related to us that when the fire broke out people started running in all directions. During that time she had lost her husband in the crowd. The Hujjaj would spend the entire day and night at Mina engaging in the recitation of the Quraan, praying and basically taking rest before heading off to Arafat tomorrow.
I would like to thank my dear friend Madani Norzai for sharing these pictures with me. He is currently in Mina with a group of South African Hujjaj.....May Allah accept their Hajj and make the journey easy for them....Ameen!!
