Millions of Muslims mark Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia after hajj pilgrimage

BEIRUT — More than 2 million Muslims from around the world arrived in Saudi Arabia this week to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage in and around the holy city of Mecca, defying global inflation and rising prices across the globe.

The hajj season, which began on Monday, is one of the five pillars of Islam. On the third day of the pilgrimage, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, which this year falls on Wednesday. On this day, Muslims celebrate by sacrificing an animal, most commonly a sheep, to symbolize Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son upon Allah’s command. Seeing his devotion, Allah sent instead a sheep for Ibrahim to sacrifice. Despite the economic crises and armed conflicts in the region, Muslims are determined to celebrate Eid.

This year’s Muslim holiday coincides with major realignments happening in the region, including an Iranian rapprochement with the countries of the region as well as Syria’s return to the Arab fold. On Tuesday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received a phone call from his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in which they exchanged Eid al-Adha greetings, the Syrian presidency reported on its Twitter account.

Saudi authorities are expecting more than 2.6 million pilgrims this year, even more than pre-pandemic levels. Around 87,550 of those will be Iranians, according to Iran’s official media, up from 39,635 the previous year, as Saudi Arabia improved services to Iranian pilgrims following a reconciliation deal reached between Riyadh and Tehran in March.

“I am very happy that relations between the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia are improving. This will improve Muslims' travel to the house of God,” an Iranian pilgrim told Reuters.

During the 2015 hajj season, more than 2,000 pilgrims were crushed to death in a stampede in Mina, near Mecca, in one of the worst hajj disasters ever recorded. Nearly 500 of the victims were Iranian. At the time, Iran accused the Saudi authorities of incompetence and failure to provide security for the pilgrims, calling for new management of the hajj.

Muslims across the Middle East are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Adha despite the hardships many are facing. The spirit of the holiday remains strong in the region, with many countries holding traditional events and festivals. 
In the Palestinian territories and Egypt, scores of worshippers filled mosques, while families wandered decorated streets and public gardens. In Syria, where years of war have devastated the economy, charities in Damascus have mobilized efforts to help the less fortunate.

Arab pilgrims poured into neighboring Lebanon, coinciding with Eid, as Beirut International Airport sees heavy traffic on the eve of the holiday. According to the state National News Agency, some 356,203 visitors have arrived in the small Mediterranean country since the beginning of June. They are expected to bring much-needed cash into a country that has been reeling under a crippling economic and financial crisis. Officials are expecting more than $9 billion in tourism revenues this year.