The Clandestine Pilgrimage: Determined Souls Defy Odds to Witness Mecca's Sacred Rites

In the sacred city of Mecca, a covert pilgrimage is underway as thousands of determined Muslims from around the world converge, risking arrest and deportation in their quest to partake in the revered annual Hajj without official authorization. Among them is Mohammed, a 70-year-old Egyptian retiree who has been lying low in a Mecca apartment for weeks, hoping to evade the authorities' watchful gaze and fulfill his lifelong dream of performing the sacred rituals.

Mohammed's plight echoes that of countless others who, driven by an unwavering devotion to their faith, are willing to navigate the treacherous path of an illicit pilgrimage. Despite the risks, these clandestine pilgrims are undeterred, their hearts set on witnessing the hallowed rites that have drawn the faithful to Mecca for centuries.

"For over ten years, I have sought to obtain the Hajj permit in Egypt, but luck has eluded me," Mohammed confides to AFP, referring to the quota system through which the Saudi Kingdom allocates Hajj visas to various countries, which are then distributed through a lottery process in Egypt.

Even if he had secured the coveted permit, the financial burden of the journey would have been insurmountable, with the cost exceeding 175,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately 37,000 dirhams), a sum far beyond his means. Undaunted, Mohammed opted for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia and paid an agent 3,500 Saudi riyals (approximately 9,000 dirhams) to secure lodging near Mount Arafat, the revered site where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon.

Subsisting solely on canned goods brought from Egypt, Mohammed spends his days confined within the apartment, sharing quarters with seven others as they prepare for the religious rituals set to commence on June 14th. "I am prepared for all difficulties. It's hot. I will drink plenty of water," he says resolutely. "I will perform the Hajj; that's what matters most."

This clandestine pilgrimage is not an isolated phenomenon; according to authorities and travel agencies, tens of thousands of Muslims attempt to partake in the annual pilgrimage without official sanction. These covert pilgrims are acutely aware of the risks they face – arrest and potential expulsion from the Kingdom – yet they remain undaunted, driven by an unwavering commitment to fulfill their spiritual obligations.

As the sacred city braces for the influx of faithful devotees, the plight of these clandestine pilgrims serves as a poignant reminder of the depths of human devotion and the lengths to which individuals will go to honor their religious traditions. Though their journey may be shrouded in secrecy, their determination to bear witness to Mecca's sacred rites burns brightly, a testament to the enduring power of faith in the face of formidable challenges.