See more pictures from the Haj

More than 25,000 Britons are among three million Muslims performing the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which reaches a climax today when the faithful gather at Mount Arafat to pray for God’s forgiveness.Costly new safety measures have been implemented to prevent stampedes such as the one that afflicted the last haj, in which at least 345 pilgrims, including three Britons, died during the ritual stoning of a pillar representing the devil.

A Saudi team went to Munich to learn from the Germans’ experience of managing hordes of football fans during the World Cup, and the Kingdom has spent $1 billion (£500 billion) improving safety at the stoning site in Mina.

This year’s haj takes place against the background of growing concern across the Islamic world over the chaos in Iraq, violence in the Palestinian territories and war in Somalia.

Tensions have also increased between the two main sects of Islam, Sunnis and Shias, who gather together in the five days of haj rituals centred on the holy city of Mecca. The Saudi authorities said they would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the pilgrimage.

“The pilgrimage is not a place for raising political banners . . . or slogans that divide Muslims, whom God has ordered to be unified,” Sheikh Salih bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister, told pilgrims yesterday. “The haj is a school for teaching unity, mercy and co-operation.” About 50,000 security personnel have been mobilised to smooth the flow of people and guard against any terrorist threat during the haj, which ends on Monday.

Nearly 10,000 medical personnel are on duty and 21 field hospitals have been set up at Mecca and Medina. With so many people from so many countries gathered in such a small area, the spread of infectious diseases is another concern.

Britain has sent a team of doctors and nurses, as well as additional consular staff from London, to assist British pilgrims. The nine doctors, all volunteers from Britain’s Muslim community, provide medical care to pilgrims and keep track of ailments when the faithful return home.

“A stitch in time saves ten in future: if our doctors here diagnose serious diseases and treat them at an early stage . . . they won’t be able to spread in the UK. We are saving money for the National Health Service,” Lord Patel of Blackburn, who has headed the British haj delegation for the past seven years, told The Times from Mecca. He said he had witnessed “revolutionary” changes in safety and comfort since performing his first haj in 1971.

All Muslims must undertake the haj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able. Pilgrims are delighted to have made the intensely spiritual journey, but it can also involve hardships that serve as a great leveller.

“All have to face hardship, no matter who you are, you might have to sleep on the floor in the middle of the desert. Even if you are a billionaire you can’t buy all the comforts of the world here, so you realise what poor people are facing around the world,” Lord Patel said.

Equality of mankind under God is symbolised by the seamless white robes worn by pilgrims who yesterday trekked through the eight-mile valley from Mecca to Mina, tracing the journey made by the Prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago.

Many were in tears as they raised their hands to heaven and chanted “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (Here I am, my Lord, here I am).

Blogging voices from Mecca

‘Today has been a momentous day for many of us as our haj has now well and truly begun. It was a great feeling to be doing what Allah has commanded all Muslims do; especially when we were surrounded by so many people from so many different backgrounds, each with the same aim’

‘In order to seek Allah’s forgiveness we need to be fully aware of our own faults so that we can repent and try and ensure that we change our habits from now on. This is not an easy task, but it is essential if our haj is to be accepted’

‘I still can’t believe I’m going to haj. I’ve been on cloud nine ever since Dad confirmed the visa. Time doesn’t seem to move — I can’t eat, sleep or concentrate on anything . . . It truly is an invaluable gift, the best thing a father can give his daughter.’

‘Spoke to my brother last night. They were getting ready to set off. Mum and him have not been well and with mum in a wheelchair, it’s a daunting task. Inshallah, Allah will make it easy for them’

‘The sighting of the Ka’bah was overwhelming. I was awestruck by its magnificence; its beauty cannot be described in any other way except by pure experience of its presence. Tears streamed down my face as I asked for the Razamandi (pleasure) of my Lord’

Sources: eurohajjmission.org; forum.mpacuk.org; therevival.co.uk

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