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Which religious pilgrimage site in Asia and Africa attracts the most visitors annually?

Wilkie L'Hommeau

When it comes to religious pilgrimage sites in Asia and Africa, there are quite a few that attract a significant number of visitors annually. However, one site that arguably stands out as the most popular is the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, which is considered one of the holiest sites in Islam. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world make the journey to Mecca to perform a series of religious rituals, including the tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba, one of Islam's most sacred sites.

The Hajj is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey, and it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. As such, it's not surprising that it attracts such a huge number of visitors each year. In fact, according to data from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the number of pilgrims who attended the Hajj in 2019 was estimated to be around 2.5 million.

Of course, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the Hajj in recent years. In 2020, only a limited number of pilgrims were allowed to attend due to COVID-19 safety measures, and the number was significantly reduced to about 1,000 from within Saudi Arabia only. Therefore, Saudi Arabia has put stringent measures to curtail the spread of the virus.

However, as the world slowly begins to open up again, it is likely that the Hajj will once again attract a large number of visitors in the coming years. After all, the pilgrimage is a deeply spiritual and meaningful experience for many Muslims, and the chance to connect with other believers from around the world is one that is not to be missed.

In conclusion, while there are certainly many religious pilgrimage sites in Asia and Africa that are worth visiting, the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is undoubtedly the most popular. Its significance in Islam as a mandatory ritual has led to a constant flow of visitors every year, making it one of the most visited places in the world.