Before the departure of this first contingent, the Message addressed by HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, to Moroccan pilgrims was read out by the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq.
In this message, HM the King called on Moroccan pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of their homeland, and standard-bearers of its age-old civilization and identity, exemplified by attachment to the values of openness and tolerance, and to refrain from all polemics and grounds for discord.
The Sovereign also urged Moroccan pilgrims to be worthy representatives of their religion at this sublime rendezvous, by displaying an attitude and conduct “which epitomize Islamic fraternity, moderation in matters relating to faith as well as conduct, and rejection of all manifestations of radicalism, extremism or any cause of discord or strife.”
HM the King, Commander of the Faithful, also urged pilgrims to show piety, “since there is no better provision for this journey than devoutness.”
The Sovereign also asked Moroccan pilgrims to show exemplary morality during this grandiose gathering, where Muslims are obliged to bear in mind two fundamental and complementary truths: their proclamation of faith in the Oneness of God the Most High, and their desire to illustrate their unity and unanimous adherence to God’s unshakeable Law.”
The Sovereign emphasized that in Islam, pilgrimage symbolizes the equality of the faithful who, on the occasion of the Hajj, find themselves gathered in a single place: the Sacred Kaaba, Mina and Arafat, wearing the same emblematic cloth of Ihram (the solemn entry into the sacred universe of the Hajj) and blending in with one another without any distinction of title or status.
HM the King also reminded pilgrims that their stay in the Holy Places requires the utmost discipline and the most sincere observance of the obligations and canonical rules of pilgrimage.
In a statement to the press on this occasion, Toufiq indicated that 81 flights were scheduled as part of this year’s pilgrimage, noting that the last outbound flight would take place on June 22, while return flights would start on July 3 and end on July 23.
The Minister specified that 49 of these flights, or more than half, will go directly to Medina, thus sparing pilgrims the constraints associated with car transport.
Toufiq also announced that 10,500 pilgrims will benefit this year from the new “Route to Mecca” approach launched last year by the Saudi authorities, departing from Casablanca’s Mohammed V airport.
This year, the number of pilgrims is 35,000, of whom 22,800 are being supervised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, while travel agencies are supervising 12,200 pilgrims, noted the Minister, pointing out that 51% of pilgrims are women and 15% are over 80 years of age.
In addition to ulemas and doctors, these pilgrims are supervised by 725 administrative staff, including 460 attendants, he added.
