Over One Million Muslims Gather at Mount Arafat for Most Sacred Day of Hajj Pilgrimage
In what is considered the most sacred day in Islam, over 1.5 million foreign pilgrims gathered today at Mount Arafat, southeast of Mecca, as the annual Hajj pilgrimage reached its spiritual climax. From the early hours of the morning, throngs of worshippers streamed into the plain of Arafat — many on foot, some clutching umbrellas and pulling luggage, as temperatures soared to 40°C (104°F). The ritual, known as Wuquf, or the “Standing at Arafat,” is seen as the heart of Hajj and a powerful moment of reflection, prayer, and divine mercy. According to Islamic tradition, the Day of Arafat marks the occasion when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon more than 1,400 years ago. It is believed that on this day, God draws closest to His servants and offers forgiveness on a scale unmatched by any other day. “Mount Arafat is the pulse of the Hajj,” said Ghassan al-Nuwaimi, spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj. “Pilgrims remain there from noon to sunset in supplication. It is a moment unlike any other in their spiritual lives.” This year’s Hajj has already welcomed over 1.5 million international pilgrims, with the final total expected to rise as domestic figures are confirmed. Last year, 1.6 million foreigners participated in the pilgrimage. To safeguard pilgrims against the desert’s intensity, Saudi authorities have deployed thousands of mist-spraying fans, shaded rest areas, and triple the number of paramedics. “We’ve planted 10,000 trees to expand shaded zones and added more hospital beds,” said Health Minister Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel earlier this week. Pilgrims have been strongly advised to remain inside tents during the hottest hours of the day and stay hydrated. After sunset, they will move to Muzdalifah, where they will collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil, continuing the deeply revered rites of Hajj.
If you value our journalism…
TMJ News is committed to remaining an independent, reader-funded news platform. A small donation from our valuable readers like you keeps us running so that we can keep our reporting open to all! We’ve launched a fundraising campaign to raise the $10,000 we need to meet our publishing costs this year, and it’d mean the world to us if you’d make a monthly or one-time donation to help. If you value what we publish and agree that our world needs alternative voices like ours in the media, please give what you can today.
Author
Related
Juneteenth Celebrations Across The US Commemorate The End Of Slavery
Across the United States, Juneteenth was commemorated on Thursday with powerful tributes, community events, and…
‘Not Our War’: Bipartisan Lawmakers Back Resolution to Block US Involvement in Iran
In the wake of Israel’s aggression on Iran, a rare bipartisan coalition in Congress is…
Minnesota Lawmaker Shooting Suspect Faces Court After Deadly Attack Deemed ‘Political Assassination’
The suspect in a shocking mass shooting that killed a Minnesota state representative and her…
