PRAYERS FOR PEACE: More than 1.8 million pilgrims offer their prayers at Mount Arafat

More than 1.8 million pilgrims ascended the Mount Arafat yesterday to offer their prayers and supplications on the most significant day of the Haj pilgrimage. Mount Arafat is where the Prophet gave his final sermon, and ascending the mountain is the most important pillar of the Haj.

An eminent Islamic scholar reminded Muslims to unite and refrain from violence during his sermon on the Arafat Day from the Prophet Mohammed’s Al Nimrah mosque.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud arrived in Mina on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to inspect services offered to pilgrims, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

The annual pilgrimage commenced on Monday, the eighth day of Dul Hijjah, with millions from around the world taking part for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the Haj, millions of worshippers gather in Mecca to embark on the ritual mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it.

Pilgrims began marching early yesterday towards Arafat Mount after spending the day at Mina.

Saudi authorities have mobilised all their resources and facilities to make the movement of pilgrims from Mina to Arafat a great success.

Medical teams and volunteers are also accompanying the pilgrims giving them medical aid and water and helping the elderly pilgrims.

The pilgrims gathered at the 110,000sqm grand Nimrah Mosque and its 8,000sqm courtyards well before the start of the Arafat Day sermon.

Eminent Saudi Islamic scholar and member of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Youssef Bin Muhammad Bin Saeed delivered the sermon, sending a message of unity and peace to the pilgrims.

The sermon resembles the famous farewell sermon of Prophet Mohammed when he performed the Haj.

Muslims in most parts of the world observed fasting yesterday in a sign of solidarity with the pilgrims.

The Saudi Health Ministry issued an alert to the pilgrims against heat exhaustion, as this year’s Haj season witnesses a rise in temperatures, which poses a threat to the health of the pilgrims. The ministry’s health workers will be on hand to help fend off heatstroke, dehydration and exhaustion in the heat of the summer that recorded temperatures of more than 43C.

Credit: Gulf Daily News Online