Nearly three million pilgrims gathered around Arafat valley on Sunday at the peak of the Haj, pleading Allah for forgiveness and chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (O God, I am answering your call). Starting just after dawn, the faithful made their way slowly on foot or by bus toward the hill, also known as the Mount of Mercy, where Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) delivered his last sermon more than 14 centuries ago. The white Ihram covered the whole rocky hillside as many pilgrims stood praying together in hundreds of different tongues. “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik “ was the most heard words among pilgrims who flocked to the central area in Arafat in hordes. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah and the chief of the Central Haj Committee followed up the pilgrims' flow from Mina to Arafat step by step. He hailed the efforts put in by security forces and other government bodies who participated in transporting pilgrims to Arafat. In a statement by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Prince Khaled said that the primary reports did not register any accidents and he affirmed that the pilgrims' health status is excellent. He said that the pilgrims journey to Arafat was accomplished in a record time. Meanwhile, Muslim unity was a priority of many pilgrims who included their parents and relatives in their prayers too. “I have prayed for my small family in Togo and wish them a Haj journey next years,” Mudrigan Adam of Togo told the Saudi Gazette. Being at the holy site of Arafat also was a golden chance for some workers who work for the municipality. “Seeing this huge number of pilgrims praying and asking Allah for forgiveness makes you pray … who knows we may get rewards too,” Mohammed Islamul Haq, a Bangladeshi worker said. Many pilgrims found the opportunity to take shots near the mountain to remind them of the pilgrimage when they go back homes. However, other pilgrims who reached Arafat before noon prayer were not able to climb the hill due to the crowd in front of the stairs. Security forces later interfered to organize and help them up. The scene in Arafat reached its peak when pilgrims performed the combined and shortened Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers. Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led the prayers and delivered his annual sermon at Namerah mosque. Al-Sheikh stressed the unifying power of Islam and called for a return to religion by following the teachings of Islam. All necessary services and facilities, including medical facilities, fresh water and foodstuffs, were available in Arafat. Helicopters were flying in the morning over the plains of Arafat to contribute to the smooth progress of the pilgrims while the security forces, traffic officials, civil defense and boy scouts were on the spot to provide the pilgrims with all possible services. Many trucks, parked by the side of the road, were giving away food and water to pilgrims. Beggars, with their emotional tricks, were lying at the center of Arafat roads despite efforts by police to ban them. On Monday, all pilgrims will throw stones at “Jamarat”, sacrifice animals, and cut their hair. On the same day, they will move to Makkah for Tawaf in the Holy Mosque before they come back again to Mina to complete their rituals.
