Muslim Pilgrims Flock to Mount Arafat for Hajj’s Most Sacred Day

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims on Thursday gathered at Mount Arafat, a sacred site in Islam, to mark the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The gathering took place with pilgrims praying atop the mountain and in the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his last sermon.

To avoid the scorching desert sun, Saudi authorities advised pilgrims to stay indoors between 10 am and 4 pm, when temperatures are expected to soar.

Many pilgrims arrived before dawn to take advantage of the relatively cooler morning hours, carrying colorful umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun.

“This is something that I used to see every year on the TV screen during Hajj and I always thought: ‘I wish I could be here’,” said 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, who had been trying to perform the Hajj for three years.

“I feel very blessed,” he added, gazing at the mount in awe. Hundreds of pilgrims dressed in white dotted the mount, praying and taking pictures.

To mitigate the risks associated with the extreme heat, Saudi authorities have implemented various safety measures.

These include expanding shaded areas by 50,000 square meters, deploying thousands of extra medical personnel, and setting up over 400 cooling units.

More than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials have been mobilized to manage the crowds and prevent heat-related illnesses.

This comes after last year’s Hajj saw 1,301 pilgrims die due to temperatures reaching 51.8°C.

After spending the day at Mount Arafat, pilgrims will head to Muzdalifah, where they will gather pebbles to perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual.

For many, this pilgrimage is a lifelong dream, with some pilgrims, like Iman Abdel Khaleq, having waited 10 years to perform the Hajj.

“It’s a big dream for me that I had almost given hope up of realizing,” she said, overcome with emotion.

With temperatures already exceeding 40°C, the authorities are working hard to ensure this year’s pilgrimage is safer and more manageable for the 1.5 million pilgrims attending.