Latest news with #Muzdalifah
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Crown Prince Oversees Hajj Organization from Mina
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, arrived in Mina on Thursday to oversee the organization of the Hajj pilgrimage. He will oversee the services provided to the pilgrims and the facilitations aimed at ensuring they perform the holy rituals smoothly and safely. Earlier Thursday, pilgrims gathered in Arafat to spend hours in worship and contemplation. The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the holy Quran and it is where the Prophet Mohammad gave his last sermon on his final Hajj. The Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins. After sunset Thursday, pilgrims headed to the desert plain of Muzdalifah to collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual. On Friday, they will head to the vast tent city of Mina to carry out the ritual.
The National
5 days ago
- General
- The National
Hajj pilgrims pray on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat
Pilgrims prayed on Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual hajj pilgrimage, as officials called on devotees to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day. Thousands of pilgrims began to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon. While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, carrying colourful umbrellas, many pilgrims will remain for prayers and Quran recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the hajj. After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil". Follow more Hajj 2025 here.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in Hajj apex
MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia: Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day. Thousands of pilgrims began to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon. While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, carrying colorful umbrellas, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Qur'an recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the Hajj. After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and the sprawling tent city of Mina, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil.' PHOTO GALLERY: Pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat for Hajj 2025 'This is something that I used to see every year on the TV screen during Hajj and I always thought: 'I wish I could be here',' said 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, one of 1.5 million pilgrims who had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. 'I've been trying to get here... for the past 3 years,' he added as he gazed at the mount. 'I feel very blessed.' Hundreds of pilgrims dressed in white dotted the mount itself, with many more at its foot praying or taking pictures. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities called on pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, when the desert sun is at its harshest. Fans spraying mist and providing cool air were dispersed at the foot of the mount. Temperatures this year have already exceeded 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, kicked off earlier this week. 'I came here early to (avoid) the sun and later I will pray inside my tent,' said 54-year-old Adel Ismail, from Syria. To make this year's pilgrimage safer, authorities have expanded infrastructure, deployed thousands of extra personnel and relied on an arsenal of high-tech tools to help better manage crowds. Authorities have mobilized more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square meters (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, the Hajj minister has said. Through tears of joy, Iman Abdel Khaleq said she had wanted to perform the Hajj for 10 years and was overwhelmed with emotion as she arrived at Arafat. 'It's a big dream for me that I had almost given hope up of realizing,' the woman in her fifties said from the foot of the mount.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for Haj's spiritual peak amid Saudi heat warnings
MOUNT ARAFAT, June 4 — Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual Haj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day. Thousands of pilgrims were beginning to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon. While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Quran recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the Haj. After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and the sprawling tent city of Mina, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil'. 'This is something that I used to see every year on the TV screen during Haj and I always thought: 'I wish I could be here',' said 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, one of 1.5 million pilgrims who had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. 'I've been trying to get here... for the past 3 years,' he added as he gazed at the mount. 'I feel very blessed.' Hundreds of pilgrims dressed in white dotted the mount itself, with many more at its foot praying or taking pictures. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities called on pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10am and 4pm on Thursday, when the desert sun is at its harshest. Temperatures this year have already exceeded 40°Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, kicked off earlier this week Officials have beefed up heat mitigation efforts aiming to avoid a repeat of last year's Haj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8°C. 'I came here early to (avoid) the sun and later I will pray inside my tent,' said 54-year-old Adel Ismail, from Syria. To make this year's pilgrimage safer, authorities have expanded infrastructure, deployed thousands of extra personnel and relied on an arsenal of high-tech tools to help better manage crowds. Authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres, thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, the Haj minister has told AFP. Authorities said a majority of the deaths in 2024 were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to amenities like air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have also cracked down on unregistered pilgrims looking to sneak into Mecca, relying on frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Haj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by a lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the Haj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the Haj have proved lethal in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the 'stoning the devil' ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest Haj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Haj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. — AFP
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Hajj Security Committee Completes Distribution of Holy Sites Train Bracelets in Makkah
The Security Committee of the Kingdom of Bahrain's Hajj Mission has successfully completed the distribution of the Holy Sites Train bracelets to the representatives of licensed Bahraini Hajj campaigns. The distribution took place at the mission's headquarters in Makkah, marking a key step in facilitating the movement of pilgrims across the sacred sites of Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Captain Ahmed Al-Ahmed, head of the Security Committee, confirmed that the bracelet distribution process followed meticulous procedures. The team ensured that the names of pilgrims matched the official lists and that the exact number of bracelets designated for each campaign was carefully verified before handover. This precision aims to prevent any logistical issues during the pilgrims' journeys through the holy sites. Al-Ahmed also praised the seamless cooperation of Bahraini Hajj campaign organizers, highlighting their commitment to providing all required information promptly. Their collaboration significantly contributed to the smooth and efficient completion of the bracelet distribution process. In a related effort, the Security Committee had earlier completed the installation of vehicle entry permits. These permits were affixed to the campaign vehicles designated for transporting pilgrims within the holy sites, ensuring regulated and secure access throughout the Hajj season. With these critical logistical preparations in place, the Bahraini Hajj Mission is set to provide its pilgrims with a safe and organized experience as they embark on their spiritual journey.
