First contingent of Moroccan pilgrims arrive in Jeddah

The first contingent of Moroccan pilgrims arrived on Tuesday in the airport of Jeddah to start rituals of Haj (major pilgrimage), one of the five pillars of Islam that Muslims are required to perform at least one in a lifetime.

King Mohammed VI sent the group of 470 pilgrims on Tuesday a message reminding them that the Haj is not a mere trip and a series of rituals, but also a set of rituals that are rich in symbols meant to consolidate the faith in God, attachment to the holy values and showing the deepness of feelings by getting rid of earthly temptations and tendencies.

The objective of Haj is also the get-together of Muslims from the five continents for a unique and remarkable forum symbolizing unity, understanding and symbiosis, the sovereign said in his address advising the pilgrims to demonstrate to the whole world the greatness of Islam, its principles of tolerance, moderation, co-existence and peace and its teachings of equality between people regardless of race, color, language or civilization.

The sovereign also asked the pilgrims to be the best ambassador of their country and of their king and to give an honorable image of Morocco and Moroccans. The pilgrims were further requested to cooperate with Saudi officials in charge of pilgrimage as well as with members of the Moroccan mission of Ulema (Islamic scholars, physicians, medicaids) dispatched to assist them.

Most of the 30,000 Moroccan pilgrims, some 30,000, will be carried by national carrier (Royal Air Maroc).