More than 2 million of white-clad pilgrims ascended Mount Arafat, east of the holy city of Makkah, on Saturday, June 15, in the climax of hajj.

Pilgrims flocked to `Arafat, also known as “Mount of Mercy”, from early morning, after spending a night in the tent city of Mina which marked the first leg of their five-day spiritual journey.

“This is the most important day,” said 46-year-old Egyptian Mohammed Asser, who came prepared with a list of prayers, France 24 reported.

“I pray also for the Palestinians. May God help them.” 

This year’s hajj is unfolding in the shadow of the war in Gaza in which Israel killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

“Pray for our brothers in Palestine, in Gaza… may God give victory to the Muslims,” he shouted.

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Chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (Here I am answering Your call, O God),” the pilgrims took their way to `Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his last sermon 14 centuries ago.

Hajj Rituals

Following the lead of the Prophet’s Sunnah, the pilgrims performed noon and afternoon prayer “Dhuhr and Asr” combined and shortened at the Namera Mosque.

Pilgrims spend the day on the plains of `Arafat in the most essential pillar of hajj.

For the rest of the day, the pilgrims supplicate to God to forgive their sins and grant them mercy and pray for fellow Muslims, and for unity and peace around the world.

Pilgrims then will descend by train back to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they will take part in the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamrat Al-Aqaba and spend the night.

On Wednesday, all pilgrims will head back to Mina, where they will sacrifice animals to mark the beginning of the four-day `Eid Al-Adha.

Muslims who perform hajj properly return to their homes with all their sins washed away as promised by Prophet Muhammad.