More than 1.5 million pilgrims began arriving at the plains of Arafat from the early hours of Tuesday to perform the greatest pillar of Hajj, after spending the Day of Tarwiyah in Mina.
According to preliminary figures released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, over 1.5 million pilgrims are expected to gather at Mount Arafat and the surrounding areas this year.
The plains of Arafat echoed with prayers, declarations of faith, and glorification of Allah after dawn on Tuesday, as thousands performed prayers at Namirah Mosque.
The Day of Arafat is regarded as one of the most sacred days of the year for Muslims. Pilgrims stand at Mount Mercy and the surrounding areas from noon on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah until sunset, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who said: “Hajj is Arafat.” Throughout the day, pilgrims devote themselves to supplication, seeking forgiveness, recitation of the Qur’an, and repeated prayers and remembrance.
Pilgrims perform the Dhuhr and Asr prayers together and shortened, with one call to prayer and two separate prayer commencements, before departing after sunset to Muzdalifah, where they spend the night. They then proceed to Mina on the morning of Eid al Adha to perform the stoning ritual and offer the sacrificial animal.
The movement of pilgrims towards Arafat proceeded smoothly, with civil defence teams, Red Crescent crews, and medical personnel deployed across the area. Authorities also prepared shaded zones, misting fans, and field medical stations to help pilgrims cope with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius.
