Millions perform Hajj under fierce sun

Millions of pilgrims on Tuesday crowded the rocky rise known as Mount Arafat to pray at the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage and to listen to the sermon delivered from the Nimara mosque amid a fierce Saudi Arabian summer. Delivering the sermon, Sheikh Yusuf bin Muhammad bin Saeed made a clarion call for the Ummah to forge unity and cohesion, stressing that linguistic, racial, or ethnic differences and divisions should not lead to any discord among the Muslims. As temperatures soared to 48 degrees Celsius, groups of white-clad worshippers reciting verses from the holy Quran ascended on the hill, where Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) had given his final sermon. The ritual at Arafat is the high point of the Hajj – one of the five pillars of Islam – that the Saudi Arabia authorities said could be the biggest on record. The kingdom’s statistics authority said more than 1.8 pilgrims had joined this year’s rituals. The figures made it the largest gathering since the Covid-19 pandemic but still short of the more than 2.5 million that authorities had expected. The figures also showed that most worshippers came from abroad. The Hajj sermon, delivered from the Nimara mosque, highlighted the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and emphasised unity, cooperation within the Ummah, and the prohibition of disputes and conflicts. Sheikh Yusuf said that diversity in languages and colours was a sign from Allah and an opportunity for knowledge. He also emphasised the need for referring to the Quran and the Sunnah during disputes along with good conduct, compassion and patience. The Imam, while quoting from the verses from the Holy Quran, urged the Muslims to observe Taqwa (righteousness) by obeying Allah’s commands and staying within the boundaries set by Him. He cautioned against following rumours and disinformation that aimed to create divisions and disunity. “Islam provides preventative measures and defensive strategies to counter destructive intentions and acts of sabotage, aimed at dividing communities,” he said. The Imam urged the Muslims to strengthen social, familial, and spiritual bonds and to uphold ties of kinship. He emphasised kindness and goodness towards relatives, neighbours and the needy. Sheikh Yusuf told the worshippers that respecting and valuing humanity was obligatory upon all Muslims. He said that terrorism did not belong to any religion or nation, urging scholars to speak the truth and be a good example to the people. Crown prince visits Mina Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman inspected the Hajj arrangements during his visit to Mina, where pilgrims slept in a city of white tents that spread out across the plain. From the air, it looked as if the land was dusted with snow. High temperatures have been a constant challenge for the pilgrims, who come from around the world, but Tuesday was the Hajj’s most physically demanding day. The health ministry recorded at least 287 cases of heat stroke and exhaustion. On the plains of Arafat, some pilgrims took selfies under the clear burning sky as tree-shaped water towers sprayed cooling showers on the visitors. Helicopters hovered low overhead, monitoring crowds at the event. Later in the day, the pilgrims offered Zuhr and Asr prayers together. Chanting "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik”, they spent the day on and around the Mount Arafat in supplication, praying for prosperity and solidarity of the Ummah. After sunset, they headed to Muzdalifah, where they would stay till midnight and engage in prayers after offering Maghrib and Isha prayers together. After offering Fajr prayers at Muzdalifah, on Wednesday (today), they will go to Mina for the remaining Hajj rituals. They will also gather pebbles in Muzdalifah and hurl them at three concrete walls in the “stoning of the devil” ritual. Then they will return to Makkah’s Grand Mosque—Islam’s holiest site—for a final circumambulation of the Kaaba. AGENCIES