“Hajj is sacred, keep it free from political slogans,” says Sheikh Maher during Arafat sermon

More than 1.5 million Hajj pilgrims gathered at Arafat in Makkah to mark the holiest day of the Islamic year on Saturday. 

The gathering was followed by a sermon from Hajj Khateeb Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly, who urged Muslims to pray for the oppressed Palestinians.

Hajj pilgrims were advised to protect themselves in scorching temperatures reaching 44°C during their pilgrimage, as per a warning issued by Saudi authorities.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage commenced on Friday. Worshippers circled the Holy Kaaba chanting supplications and performing the Hajj rituals.

Hajj Khateeb Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly delivered the sermon in Arabic, with translations provided in 20 languages. He urged Muslims to adhere to Islamic teachings and abstain from obscenity and evil.

Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly said, “Islamic law emphasises the importance of preserving the five essentials: religion, life, intellect, wealth, and honor. Any violation against them is considered a crime.”

“Every believer must strive to protect these five essentials, which leads to the well-being of creation, societal stability, widespread security, and the ability for people to achieve their religious and worldly interests," he added.

“Hajj is a manifestation of worship and devotion to Allah, not a place for political slogans or factions.”

“Islam protects from obscenity and evil. Allah Almighty said, do not steal someone's property, stay away from troubles and corruption. Allah said, do not call anyone by the wrong name. The best person is the one who behaves well with wife and children, Muslims should cooperate with each other in good deeds, guidance can be sought from the tenets of Islam."

The Hajj Khateeb stressed on remembering Palestinians facing repression by Israelis.

“Supplicate Allah for yourselves, your parents, and those related to you. Whoever prays for his brother in his absence the appointed angel says Amin, May Allah grant you the same. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Palestine who have been afflicted with harm and suffered pain due to their enemies. Enemies who spill blood and cause corruption in the land and prevent the provisions they (Palestinians) need such as food, medicine, nourishment and clothing. Among those who deserve our supplicants are those who perform good deeds,” Sheikh Maher stated in his sermon.  

Several Palestinians in Gaza were unable to travel for Hajj this year due to Israel's occupation forces taking control of the Rafah crossing, the crucial passage used by pilgrims to reach Egypt and continue their journey to Saudi Arabia.

Hajj takes place once a year in Zil-Hajj, the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar.

Thousands of pilgrims from Muslim countries around the world converge on Makkah to perform the sacred pilgrimage. The pilgrimage begins on the 8th of Zilhaj and concludes on the 13th.

As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Hajj is a pilgrimage open to all Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once.