Nearly two million Muslim pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat in western Saudi Arabia today, marking the spiritual climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The pilgrims, wearing white clothing, began to gather at Arafat at sunrise after spending a night of meditation and introspection in the tent city of Mina, which marked the first leg of their five-day-long Hajj.
Throughout the day, pilgrims remained on the vast Arafat plain, engaging in prayers and supplications, seeking forgiveness and spiritual renewal. As the sun set, they began their descent to Muzdalifah, a sacred site situated between Arafat and Mina, where they would collect pebbles for the next day’s rite.
The pilgrimage continues in Mina, where pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil, a ritual that represents the rejection of evil. This act coincides with the start of Eid al-Adha on Friday, during which pilgrims will also sacrifice animals in remembrance of the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime.
