Muslim pilgrims fill the Hajj complex in Islamabad ahead of journey to Mecca

(13 May 2024)
PAKISTAN HAJJ PREPARATIONS
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 3:34
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Islamabad, Pakistan - 9 May 2024
1. Pilgrim Nadeem Satti entering the Hajj complex along with his wife to receive passports to travel to Saudi Arabia and perform the Hajj pilgrimage there
2. Satti, who is injured, using the walker to get around
3. Various of Satti at passport counter along with his wife
4. Passports and tickets
5. Satti coming out after receiving passports and tickets
6. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Nadeem Satti, pilgrim:
"I had an accident two month ago, and my left leg was injured and operated on. Despite being injured, God has given me courage. Now I am going to God's house, He will heel me and accept my Hajj."
7. Pilgrims gathered
8. Various of staff packing and sealing medicine for pilgrims
9. Various of pilgrims taking vaccines
10. Pilgrim receiving oral polio vaccine
11. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Noor Mohammad Somroo, deputy director at the Directorate of Hajj:
"This year we (at the Hajj department) introduced the Pak Hajj app. All the information is on the app; information on vaccination, flight, routes and so on. All the information about the residence building (where they will be staying) is there. Also, this time, we are giving out gifts to every pilgrim, a suitcase that carries a weight of up to 25 kilograms (55 pounds) as well as handbag that carries up to 7 kilograms (15 pounds), an ihram (belt for men that also serves as a wallet) and a abaya (long, loose cloak) for women."
12. Pilgrim Aneel Ahmed and his wife leaving with empty bags gifted to them by the Hajj department
13. Various of Ahmed and his wife using the Hajj app
14. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Aneel Ahmed, pilgrim:
"We can look up all the information online easily with this new app, we can also check our flight details, our hotel bookings. Besides that there is a complaint system. If we are facing any trouble, we can launch complaint, (explain) why (there is an issue) and what the problem is."
15. Various of pilgrims reciting special Hajj prayers
16. Various of people gathered inside mosque
17. Volunteers teaching pilgrims how to wear special Hajj dress
18. Pilgrim learning how to wear the Hajj dress
19. Pilgrims training on how to wrap the Hajj clothes around their body
STORYLINE:
Nadeem Satti in Pakistan picked up his passport and tickets to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, which draws Muslims from around the world every year.
Pilgrims like Satti are filling up the Hajj office in Islamabad, where they are learning everything they need to know about this experience, a lifelong dream for many Muslims.
Satti used a walker to make his way to the Hajj office in Islamabad, following a recent accident that injured his leg.
"Despite being injured, God has given me courage. Now I am going to God's house, He will heel me and accept my Hajj," the 48-year-old said.
For those taking part in the Hajj, it is a profound spiritual experience that wipes away sins, brings them closer to God and highlights Muslim unity.
Satti is one of roughly 180,000 Pakistani Muslims who are taking part in the pilgrimage this year.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.
This annual pilgrimage is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
Last year, over 1.8 million Muslims took part in the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
AP video shot by Muhammad Yousaf
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