President Aliyev accompanied by his family perform Umrah pilgrimage
![President Aliyev accompanied by his family perform Umrah pilgrimage](https://www.azernews.az/media/pictures/ilhamaliyev621_07_001.jpg)
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva
and family members have performed Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city
of Mecca on April 7, AzerTag state news agency reported.
President Aliyev, Mehriban Aliyeva and family members, who wore
special clothes, arrived at the Masjid al-Haram.
Heads of the mosque cordially welcomed the head of state.
President Aliyev and his entourage circumambulated the Kaaba, and
performed a prayer in the mosque. Then they started a pilgrimage to
small Al-Safa and Al-Marwah mountains. The president and family
members overcame the distance between the two small mountains seven
times.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) was born and reached prophecy
in this land, and Islam was established in Mecca.
At the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) Kaaba became
the most sacred site for Muslim pilgrims.
A magnificent mosque was later built between the Kaaba and the
Zamzam Well and small Al-Safa and Al-Marwah mountains.
Every year during Hajj, millions of Muslims coming from various
parts of the world perform rituals of pilgrimage that include
circumambulation around the Kaaba, the kissing of the Black Stone,
and a prayer in the Masjid al-Haram.
President Aliyev, Mehriban Aliyeva and family members entered the
Kaaba and prayed here.
According to the Quranic verses and hadiths, the Kaaba was the
first house that was built for humanity to worship.
In the Quran, Allah the Almighty said: “Verily, the first House (of
worship) appointed for mankind was that at Mecca full of blessing,
and guidance for Al-'Alamin. In it are manifest signs, the Maqam of
Ibrahim (Abraham); whosoever enters it...” (sura Al-Imran).
The Kaaba has severely changed through the history, being partially
or completely constructed in various periods, and reached today`s
immensity.
After completing Umrah, the head of state viewed the Masjid
al-Ḥaram. The president was informed about the mosque.
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