Under a blazing sun, more than 1.83 million Muslims from around the world gathered on Saturday at a sacred hill in Saudi Arabia for worship and reflection in the intense heat.
This ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the Hill of Mercy, marks the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage.
It is often the most memorable moment for pilgrims, who stand together to ask God for mercy, blessings, prosperity, and good health. The hill is located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Mecca.
Thousands of pilgrims arrived at the site through the predawn darkness. On the slopes of the rocky hill and in the surrounding area, many raised their hands in worship, tears streaming down their faces.
“It is truly something great. It is the best day for Muslims during the year and the most profound feeling anyone can experience,” said Hussein Mohammed, an Egyptian pilgrim, as he stood on the slopes at dawn.
“This is the best place for anyone who hopes to be here on this day and at this moment.”
Prophet Muhammad delivered his final speech, known as the Farewell Sermon, approximately 1,435 years ago at Mount Arafat.
In this sermon, Prophet Muhammad stressed the significance of equality and unity among Muslims, marking it as a pivotal moment in Islamic history.
A pilgrim from Spain, Ali Osman, expressed feelings of spiritual and physical rejuvenation as he descended from the hill.
He attributed this transformation to the sacred site, which he described as emanating “very good energy”. Osman, who was experiencing Hajj for the first time, hopes to return in the future.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings globally, commenced on Friday with pilgrims moving from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to the Mina desert plain.
According to Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah, the 2024 Hajj saw the participation of over 1.83 million Muslims, slightly fewer than the 1.84 million who performed the rituals the previous year.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.
The Hajj rituals are based on the Quran’s accounts of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail, and Ismail’s mother Hajar, also known as Abraham, Ishmael, and Hagar in the Bible.
Israel-Hamas Conflict
This year’s pilgrimage took place amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has raised concerns about regional stability.
Due to the closure of the Rafah crossing in May, Palestinian pilgrims from the Gaza Strip were unable to travel to Mecca.
Saudi authorities emphasised that the Hajj should not be politicised, and in his sermon at the Namera mosque in Arafat, Saudi cleric Maher Bin Hamad al-Mu’wiqly encouraged pilgrims to pray for those affected by the conflict, without mentioning specific parties involved.
The conflict in the region has resulted in significant loss of life, with over 37,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to local health officials, and hundreds more in Israeli operations in the West Bank.
The conflict began on October 7, following an attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of around 250 hostages.
The Hajj pilgrimage, a significant religious event, takes place over five days in the second week of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Climate Change
The rituals are primarily held outdoors, with limited shade, and can be affected by extreme temperatures during the summer months, reaching up to 40 °C (104 °F).
To mitigate the heat, the Health Ministry has advised pilgrims to use umbrellas and stay hydrated, with temperatures expected to reach 48 °C (118 °F) at the holy sites.
In response, many pilgrims at Mount Arafat utilised umbrellas and sought shade, while others splashed water on their faces and bodies to cool down.
Additionally, cooling stations were set up to spray water on pilgrims, helping to alleviate the heat, which had already reached 47°C (116.6°F) in the area, according to Saudi meteorological authorities.
According to Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel, over 150 pilgrims have received treatment for heat exhaustion. He advised pilgrims to stay hydrated and use umbrellas during the Hajj rituals.
Meanwhile, migrant cleaners in lime-green jumpsuits collected trash and empty water bottles around Mount Arafat as pilgrims performed their worship.
Following sunset on Saturday, pilgrims proceeded to Muzdalifa to gather pebbles for the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil in Mina, with some walking and others transported by buses.
After completing the stoning ritual in Muzdalifa, pilgrims return to Mina for three days, coinciding with the festive Eid al-Adha holiday.
During this time, financially able Muslims worldwide slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the needy.
Following their stay in Mina, pilgrims return to Mecca for the Farewell Tawaf, a final circumambulation around the Kaaba.
Upon concluding the Hajj, men traditionally shave their heads while women snip a lock of hair, symbolizing spiritual renewal.
Many pilgrims then journey about 340 kilometers (210 miles) to Medina to visit Prophet Muhammad’s tomb, located within the Sacred Chamber at his mosque.
This mosque, alongside the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, is among the holiest sites in Islam.
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