RIYADH: Every year, Muslims from around the world flock to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage, a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey for many.
The Hajj will begin on Friday, June 14, with pilgrims due to gather in Mina, a tent village near Mecca.
Among the worshippers are celebrities who find time out of their busy schedules to connect with their faith.
Celebrities taking part in Hajj this year include former Indian professional tennis player and world number one in doubles Sania Mirza, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, New Zealand heavyweight boxer and former professional rugby player Sonny Bill Williams, Malaysia-based Indian Islamic speaker Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, Pakistani television presenter and former actress Nida Yasir and Pakistani actress, film director and producer Reema Khan.
Mirza took to social media to express his hope and preparation for this “transformative experience”, one of the five pillars of Islam.
In her message to X, she asked for “forgiveness for all my mistakes and shortcomings” and said her “heart is filled with gratitude for this opportunity to seek amends and spiritual renewal.”
She added, “I pray that Allah will accept my prayers and guide me on this blessed path. I am so fortunate and truly grateful. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I embark on this journey of a lifetime. I hope to return a better person, with a humble heart and strong faith.”
Mirza will be accompanied by her sister Anam, a fashion curator, entrepreneur and video blogger, and her Indian cricketer husband Mohammed Asaduddin, son of cricketing legend Mohammed Azharuddin.
Anam posted on Instagram: “I wanted to share a few words with you all as I embark on the most important journey of my life – the Hajj pilgrimage. This journey is not just a physical journey but a deeply spiritual experience for which I have been preparing in both my heart and mind. It is a time of reflection, repentance and renewal of faith.”
Makhachev said he would be making the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca with his family just days after defeating Dustin Poirier in a UFC title fight.
Hasib Noor, a scholar at Islamic Relief UK, posted a photo of himself with the fighter on X, writing, “In Madinah, the city of true human brotherhood. Allah is using him for the good of Islam and Muslims and guiding others through him.”
Sonny Bill Williams posted a video message to X, captioning it, “You've been invited to perform Hajj, alhamdulillah.”
Williams is just the second player to represent New Zealand in rugby union after first playing for the country in rugby league and is one of only 43 players to win two Rugby World Cups.
Naik, founder and chairman of the Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV, lauded the Hajj arrangements.
In a message posted on X on Tuesday, he said the family had received an invitation from Saudi Arabia's Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
He added: “Dr Zakir Naik arrived in Jeddah this morning. Alhamdulillah, three officials welcomed him. He entered the VIP lounge, cleared immigration and was out of the airport in less than a minute. Dr Zakir Naik has never experienced such prompt and swift service in his life – and during Hajj.”
As Pakistani TV presenter Nida Yasir left for Saudi Arabia, she posted on Instagram: “Duaon me yad rakeaga (Remember me in prayers). Leaving for Hajj. Khaha suna mauf (I apologize for any wrongdoing).”
Pakistani actress Reema Khan was in Madinah ahead of Hajj.
She shared a picture of herself on Instagram and wrote, “Alhamdulillah reached Madinah on Friday morning.”
