For the Palestinians of Gazathis is the third pilgrimage in a row of which they have been deprived. Even if they had the financial means, the inhabitants of Gaza would not be able to make the trip because of the Israeli blockade. « We were asked to renew our file, but unfortunately the border post has not yet reopened and we cannot cross, we are still stuck here “, laments Férial Al Tawil, met by RFI correspondent in Gaza, Rami El Meghari. Like her, more than 2,000 registered pilgrims will have to wait, again this year, in the enclave, praying for the end of the war. « Will we be alive and healthy? We hope that God will help bring peace to Gaza, so that we can perform the rites in the years to come », wait Férial.
Despite the tensions and the risk of resumption of war with Iran, Saudi Arabia records more foreign travelers than last year: more than a million and a half. Among them, more than 26,000 pilgrims from Iran, a country with a Shiite majority. Obviously, Saudi Arabia did not make people pay the political cost of Tehran’s attacks on its soil last March by drastically reducing the number of visas granted to Iranians. Moreover, Riyadh intends more than ever to distance political or confessional considerations from the pilgrimage. On leaflets and on social networks, the authorities issue instructions such as: “ Do not chant political slogans. »
The logistical threat of a resumption of conflict
The kingdom wants to present itself as the worthy guardian of the holy places of Islam, an old subject of discord with Iran. Riyadh invested the equivalent of more than a billion euros for the security, health, transport and comfort of pilgrims, while stifling heat befell the pilgrimage. In 2024, more than 1,300 people had died from the heat.
This year, “ The hotels, the food, everything is good; the organization and reception are perfect, the security forces are present “, enthuses Abou Asawar, who paid the equivalent of 4,500 euros, his life’s savings, for this trip. The pilgrim, originally from Iraq, arrived in the Holy Places a week before the start of the pilgrimage and claims to have no worries. HAS” Even if the war resumes, we will return by road, that’s all. Saudi Arabia is a neighboring country “, he says.
But it will not be the same for all pilgrims. If the conflict resumes between the United States and Iran, the transport and reception of pilgrims would once again be a logistical headache to manage for the authorities and the host countries, several of which have called on their nationals to avoid traveling to Saudi Arabia, starting with the United States.
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