AlHijjah 9, 1434, Oct 14, 2013, SPA -- Having successfully performed Hajj as they attended sunset at Arafat Mount and the prescribed surroundings, pilgrims started to descend from Arafat to the next station: Muzdalifah where they are scheduled to perform joint Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (evening) prayers, collect pebbles to throw at a replica of the devil in Mina tomorrow, and stay the night, before heading to Makkah early morning, SPA journalists covering Hajj reported. Along the wide roads leading to Muzdalifah, traffic, security and national guard officers as well as scout squads were seen helping pilgrims and facilitate their movement. SPA reporters noted the smooth and speed, but accurate, traffic going down the valley, using Al-Mashaer train and buses while some pilgrims opted to go the nearly 15-kilometer distance on foot. The role of helicopters monitoring the crowd is to direct ground authorities wherever need is needed. However, without such aerial intervention, supplies of food, water, electricity and other health and medical services were done. Pilgrims were also seen jubilantly speaking to their beloved back at home through a perfect communication network. Viewers of TV and listeners of broadcasting stations were also provided with live coverage directly from the Saudi TV and Radio. SPA supplies the two with official reporting. While in Arafat, pilgrims enjoyed a one-day worshipping, the very moment they were dreaming of while at home, performed Zuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers in or around Namirah mosque, listened to Arafat sermon, delivered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Shiekh, who is also Chairman of the Senior Ulema Commission, the Religious Research Department and Ifta, and attended the sunset appointment of appealing to Allah to accept their Hajj and forgive their sins. --SPA
