On Friday, the Libyan General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs reported that three Libyan pilgrims had passed away at the Mina hospital in Mecca, bringing the total number of pilgrim deaths to six.
In a briefing statement, the Authority identified the deceased pilgrims as El Hadi Salem Hussein, Saleh Muftah Ahmed Younis, and Ahmed Omar Ahmed Zaid.
This news follows the Authority’s announcement on Wednesday, that it had facilitated the performance of the sacrificial ritual, known as “Hadi”, for all 8,150 members of the Libyan delegation.
Earlier this week, Ali Mohamed Bashir Hamouda, the Head of the General Authority stated that “all 8,150 members of the Libyan Hajj mission have been safely transported to Arafat with ease and security.” In a recorded message broadcast by the authority, Hamouda expressed his relief that the Hajj pilgrims arrived at Arafat without any injuries, describing it as an encouraging sign.
He wished for the continued success and good fortune of the pilgrims and emphasized that the committees responsible for the facilities, transportation, and services had cooperated and performed their duties well.
Earlier on Tuesday, the authority shared photos of the pilgrims standing at Arafat.
According to the authority, each pilgrim was provided with a bag containing some dry food, and a hot meal was provided on the day of Arafat, along with another bag of dry food upon their arrival at the Mina site.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a spiritual journey that every adult Muslim, who is physically and financially able, is required to undertake at least once in their lifetime. This pilgrimage takes place during Dhu Al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Hajj rituals involve several significant rites such as the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’aba), Sa’i (moving between the hills of Safa and Marwah), and the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina. The Hajj pilgrimage culminates with the celebration of Eid Al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, which involves a ritual sacrifice.