This article was originally written in Bahasa Indonesia by Sastri.
Eid al-Adha is synonymous with the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Pillars of Islam. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it a challenge for Muslims around the world to perform the pilgrimage.
As a result, this 2021 Eid al-Adha, only 60,000 out of the 500,000 Hajj applicants were selected to perform the Hajj. Those chosen were required to meet specific requirements such as being fully vaccinated with any of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. In previous years, Hajj attendees typically reach an estimate of 2.5 million visitors per year.
The city of Mecca has become quieter than usual. The Kaaba, which is a holy place for Muslims, is also not crowded with pilgrims. Now, a row of worshippers perform the tawaf with social distancing and their faces covered with masks.
As the holiest city for Muslims, Mecca has also experienced great development. The news site Al Jazeera has compiled photos of the Kaaba over the last 100 years. Here's a walk down memory lane.
Hopefully, the situation will improve soon and we can visit the Holy Land (:
Credit: Abd al-Ghaffar Al Sayyid (Library of Congress)
Credit: Matson Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)
Credit: Matson Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)
Credit: Razi Babri
Credit: Altaf Qadri
Mecca 2014 (Credit: Reuters/ Muhammad Hamed)
Mecca, 2021. (Credit: AFP)
Interested to read more about Mecca, Hajj and Umrah? Check these articles out:
- 6 Muslims Share What It's Really Like To Perform The Hajj Pilgrimage
- Is Umrah Open In 2021? Here's What We Know
- Hajj Stories: There's No Difference In Race, Language And Status When Worshipping Allah
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