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3 Million Muslim Haj Pilgrims Gather at Mount Arafat, Climax of Pilgrimage

 

SIRAJ WAHAB | Arab News Staff

Friday 26 October 2012

Last Update 26 October 2012 10:50 am

 

MINA: In an atmosphere filled with spirituality and serenity, nearly 3 million pilgrims yesterday performed the most important rite of the Haj as they stood in prayer from dawn to dusk in the plains of Arafat, 15 kilometers east of Makkah. The ritual is commonly called as Wuqoof-e-Arafat.
A white sea of faithful surged to Mount Arafat as dawn broke on the second day of the five-day event. Waves of men in seamless white robes and veiled women in long dresses joined voices in a crescendo chanting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (Here I am O God, answering your call).
Thousands of police were stationed along the routes to Arafat and helicopters hovered overhead. Many faithful carried umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun in temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius. Sprinklers intermittently sprayed them with water.

The pilgrimage proceeded without incident under the watchful eyes of thousands of police and troops. Police patrols organized traffic and the movement of pilgrims as helicopters hovered above.
Medical teams dealt with emergencies but doctors said the general health of pilgrims was fine with no contagious diseases reported.

The faithful spent the day praying for mercy and forgiveness.

“I really can’t describe the feeling of being here at Arafat for the first time. It is overwhelming,” said 63-year-old Rayees Nomani, from Lucknow, India. He was one among 170,000 pilgrims from India.
“I am praying for forgiveness and for the victory of Muslims all over the world. I wish to see the Ummah (Islamic nation) united and progressing,” said Nomani.

“O Allah, grant me and my loved ones good health, forgiveness and save us from hell,” Asif Kamal, a Pakistani pilgrim, prayed as he raised his hands and faced the sky. With tears in his eyes, he added: “Forgive me for my sins and have mercy on my soul.”

Tears rolled down the cheeks of pilgrims as they climbed Jabal Al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his final sermon more than 14 centuries ago. The Jabal was flooded by pilgrims who sat or stood there for hours contemplating and praying.

Standing at Mount Arafat in prayer before sunset on 9th Dul Hijjah is the high point of the Haj.
“I pray God to help Muslims the world over, especially the Palestinians, Syrians and the Afghans, and grant them victory,” said 43-year-old Palestinian pilgrim Yacoub Shaltout.

“Words can’t describe how I feel,” a Ghanian pilgrim said. “Look at this crowd answering God’s call, more than 1,400 years after the Prophet, the Ummah is alive and well. This is awesome, just awesome.”

The pilgrims left Arafat after sunset, moving to Muzdalifa where they will spend the night following in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They will also collect pebbles from Muzdalifa to stone Jamarat in Mina at dawn today in a ritual symbolizing the stoning of the devil.
More than 1.75 million pilgrims have come this year from some 150 countries. Another million came from within the Kingdom.

Haj congregation impresses new Muslims

JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS
Friday 26 October 2012
Last Update 26 October 2012 2:12 am

Twenty-four-year-old Michael from Virginia in the United States is one of the hundreds of new Muslims performing Haj this year. He said he was happy to be among the 3 million Muslim faithful assembled in Arafat.

“It’s an amazing experience,” Michael said. “It reflects the universal brotherhood promulgated by Islam. Haj brings together people speaking different languages and belonged to difference races.”
Michael said the participation in Haj has given him a feeling that he is part and parcel of the great Islamic Ummah.

“It gave me an opportunity to live with Muslims from different countries, wearing the same form of dress and participating in the same forms for worships and rituals,” he said.
Michael said he embraced Islam following a detailed interaction and debate on the religion with a Muslim classmate in his college. He wanted to change his name but experts told him that there is no need to change it.

Another new Muslim from Scotland said he decided to embrace Islam after his mother, who is a hotel manager, accepted Islam as her way of life. “My mother was searching for the true religion. She was not happy with Christianity because of its belief in trinity.”

He said it was the Islamic dress that impressed his mother and finally changed her mind to become a Muslim.

“She had not forced me to become a Muslim. However, she had discussed with me about Islam and Christianity and I reached the conclusion that Islam is the best religion.”

He said Haj itself would encourage many people to learn more about Islam and become Muslims.
About 6,250 new Muslims are performing Haj this year under a charitable program organized by Saud Al-Rajhi. The program has arranged 180 preachers and 180 supervisors to enlighten the new Muslims about Haj and Islam.