Massive Turnout at Mount Arafat for Annual Hajj Pilgrimage Amid Sweltering Heat
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims flocked to Mount Arafat on Tuesday to partake in the annual Hajj pilgrimage amidst scorching temperatures in Saudi Arabia.
Record-Breaking Pilgrimage Amidst Extreme Heat
With the mercury soaring to a blistering 48°C, worshippers dressed in white robes gathered on the hill, where the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon.
The Hajj – A Pillar of Islam
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, requiring all Muslims with the means to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. Saudi authorities anticipated this year’s event to be the largest on record.
High Turnout, But Short of Expectations
However, the Kingdom’s statistics authority revealed that over 1.8 million pilgrims participated in this year’s rituals, surpassing the numbers from the previous year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the turnout fell short of the anticipated 2.5 million.
Rituals and Tradition
On Wednesday, the worshippers will engage in the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual, gathering pebbles to cast at three concrete walls.
Following this, they will conclude the pilgrimage with a final circumambulation of the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the holiest site in Islam.
Key Points
- Huge numbers of Muslim pilgrims congregated at Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, enduring extreme heat.
- The Hajj is a vital pillar of Islam, and this year’s pilgrimage was anticipated to be the largest on record, although the actual turnout fell short of expectations.
- The pilgrims performed various rituals, including the symbolic “stoning of the devil” and the final circumambulation of the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Published in PakWeb, June 28, 2023.
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