The annual Hajj pilgrimage reached its zenith today with the Day of Arafat, when millions of Muslims from across the globe gathered at the plains of Mount Arafat on the outskirts of Makkah. All 1,755,000 pilgrims from India joined the masses who descended on the sandy grounds after spending the previous night in the nearby tent city of Mina. The pilgrims remained on the plains until sunset, spending the day in fervent prayers and rituals central to the Hajj.

After dark, the faithful will make the short journey to Muzdalifah, where they will rest tonight before returning to Mina tomorrow morning. These five sacred days comprise the peaks of the nearly week-long Hajj journey. Both Indian Hajj mission officials and Saudi authorities have made extensive arrangements to facilitate the movements of the pilgrims to and from Arafat, as well as providing amenities during their daylong spiritual vigil at the site.

The Hajj represents one of the five pillars of Islam, with all able-bodied Muslims required to make the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime if financially feasible.

Vinod Kumar (UAE)