Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia can now kiss and touch the Black Stone in the sacred Kaaba structure, one of Islam’s most venerated treasures.
The perimeter of the Kaaba, which had been sealed off since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, has now been opened.
Thrilled pilgrims can be seen squeezing up against the Black Stone in photos.
After months of anticipation, this year’s Umrah pilgrimage season has arrived. the barrier that had been in place to maintain a sense of social distance has been taken down.
For Muslims, they must complete the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. at least once in their lifetime. It has a specific day and time every year; in 2022, that was the 7th to the 12th of July.
Every year, millions of people from all around the world participate in the Umrah pilgrimage, which can be completed at any time of year. Medina, the city of angels, can also be visited by pilgrims.
There were no more limitations on Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year, which meant that for the aboriginal time in its history, pilgrims were permitted to go to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage.
The Black Stone, which sits in the eastern corner of the Kaaba, has been around since the beginning of time in Islamic belief. Before Islam, it was already revered as a holy object, and legend has it that it was formerly white but turned black as a result of the crimes of people who touched it.
Compared to prior years, there were far fewer people at the 2020 Hajj.
