First group of pilgrims performs Umrah, will attend first Friday prayer in Mecca today

(Patria) - The female and male pilgrims who arrived yesterday afternoon from Sarajevo in Mecca performed the Umrah early this morning.

Due to the Hajj crowds, performing this ritual took more time and effort, but, as confirmed by the guides and doctors of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian pilgrims, everything passed without significant problems.

„As usual, last night our hosts at the Meridien Towers hotel welcomed us with ilahije and gifts, we settled in, and sometime before midnight we headed to the Haram al-Sharif to perform the Umrah“, said the chief guide of the Office for Hajj and Umrah of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Izet ef. Čamdžić, who arrived yesterday with the first group of pilgrims.

He once again emphasized the need for female and male pilgrims to listen to their guides, which will facilitate the implementation of all activities and ensure that all rituals are performed correctly.

„Due to the large number of pilgrims from all over the world, in organizational terms, every Hajj is accompanied by certain difficulties and there are always things that happen unplanned, but that is also the Hajj. The Hajj requires a lot of effort, patience, dedication, and endurance. And God is great and He rewards especially during these days“, said Čamdžić.

In the coming days, the remaining pilgrims from the homeland are expected to arrive.

„Tonight we expect our pilgrims from Bosanska Krajina, who have already set off on this journey from their homes in Bihać, Cazin, Bužim and other beautiful Krajina towns. We will welcome them here at the hotel, and then they, like us last night, will head to the Haram to perform the Umrah“, said efendija Čamdžić.

The pilgrims currently staying in Mecca will also attend the first Friday prayer at the Haram al-Sharif today, after which they will dedicate themselves to individual acts of worship until the Hajj rituals.