ERNews

The processions for the 2025 hajj ended on Sunday with pilgrims leaving the sprawling tent of Muna for their hotels. The symbolic stoning of shaitan at the Jamarat on the third day of Eid signals the end of the process, except for those who delay their Tawaf, circumambulation of the Kaaba. The spiritual exercise, one of the five pillars of Islam, but among the two not made compulsory for the poor, coveted by all Muslims to perform even once in their lifetime, presents the opportunity to visit the country where Islam was birthed. But not all Muslims who leave their countries to perform the journey live to tell the tale of their experience. For the Nigerian continent, seven pilgrims were reported to have died during the exercise following health complications. Even though the temperature of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was high during the exercise, most deaths of Nigerians recorded were of the aged. The first death that was announced was that of a ...

Thousands of pilgrims flocked to Șumuleu Ciuc in Romania on Saturday to partake in the liturgy for what is believed to be the biggest Catholic Pentecost event in Central and Eastern Europe. Following the centuries-old tradition, some of the faithful stopped first at the Franciscan cathedral to pray before walking up Șumuleu Hill to the open-air altar where the mass was held. Many of the pilgrims who set out a few weeks ago had travelled almost a thousand kilometres on the Via Mariae, a spiritual journey that begins in Mariazell, Austria, and follows a cross on the map of Central Europe before ending in Harghita with the grand procession of Catholic Pentecost. The majority claim that they pray for understanding, health, and peace. One of the routes, called the Way of the Cross, starts near the Franciscan church and features 14 crosses symbolising the places where Jesus stopped on Golgotha. "This is why I come here. I believe in the Virgin Mary, she does miracles. A...