Egypt Opens Rafah Border Crossing for Return of Palestinian Hajj Pilgrims
According to the Gaza Department of Crossings and Borders, the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt’s Arish will remain open on Sunday.
Egypt had closed the crossing on Monday, August 20, ahead of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) celebrations.
On Aug. 4, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi ordered the opening of the Rafah border in order to ease the travelling procedure for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip seeking a Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca.
For performing Hajj, Palestinian pilgrims have to cross Sinai’s Rafah border prior to their destination to Mecca via the Cairo International Airport.
Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city in Islam.
It is regarded as one of the pillars of Islam and the largest act of mass pilgrimage in the world.
Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to perform the pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime.
