Saudi Gazette report

MINA — Kids, accompanying their parents who are performing Hajj, were the enthralling scenes in the midst of the tiresome lifetime spiritual journey undertaken by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on Arafat Day, the day that marks the climax of the annual pilgrimage.

Several pilgrim couples were seen carrying their children under scorching sun while they were heading along the pedestrian paths leading to the vast plains of Arafat to perform the standing ritual, the most important pillar of Hajj, on Tuesday.

Some parents were seen carrying their children on their shoulders while others were seen being taken on small carts. The pilgrims expressed their overwhelming joy of getting the chance to undertake the journey of faith together with their children.

There were divergent expressions of innocence by these kids when they were being carried in the crowd of chanting pilgrims.

These expressions of joy symbolize that they are painting with colors of joy in order to add much splendor and elegance to the lifetime spiritual journey of their parents.

These children, wearing white seamless Ihram clothing, exemplify various facets of unblemished innocence and cleanliness that the elder pilgrims are seeking to achieve through performance of the rituals.

In one of the scenes, Noor, a non-Arabic speaking little pilgrim, who struggled walking behind her father, was seen chanting talbiyah. She was found repeating in her small voice, “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (O God, here I am answering Your call).

There were several such impressive scenes of kids participating in the rituals of Hajj of their parents at Holy Sites of Mina and Arafat on the second and third days of the Hajj.

Many parent couples are taking videos and pictures of their accompanying children so as to keep them as memorable and invaluable souvenirs of their spiritual journey.