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Rabat – One million Muslims are converging today on Mount Arafat, a high point of Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Today marks Arafat day, one of the holiest events in Islam. The day falls on the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar.
Although Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj weeks in advance, Arafat Day is one of the most important rituals in the Muslim pilgrimage.
At dawn, Muslims performing Hajj flock from Mina, four miles from Mecca’s Grand Mosque, to Mount Arafat, where Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad chose to deliver one of his last sermons.
Muslims observe Arafat day, the climax of Hajj, by offering many prayers.
From noon to sunset, pilgrims combine Duhr and Asr prayers near the Jabal al-Rammah in a ritual often called Wakfat Arafat.
Following sunset, pilgrims will travel to Muzdalifah, a town located between Mina and Arafat Mount.
In Muzdalifa, worshipers will observe the evening prayers before performing the stoning of the devil ritual the following day.
Around 15, 392 Moroccans have been selected to perform Hajj to Mecca this year.
Hajj costs that Moroccans paid to perform the rituals amounted to $6,405. Hajj, however, is only assigned for people who are physically and financially able to perform it.
Saudi Arabia announced that only those under the age of 65 can perform Hajj.
Pilgrims are also required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must present a negative PCR test to enter Saudi Arabia.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. In 2019, prior to COVID-19, over 2.5 million Muslims took part in the pilgrimage.
In 2021, due to restrictions, only 60,000 citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia participated in Hajj. A few thousand took part in the rituals a year earlier amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The Day of Arafat will be followed by Eid Al Adha, one of the holiest feasts in Islam.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt, among other countries, will celebrate Eid tomorrow, July 9, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at the behest of God.
Morocco, however, will celebrate Eid Al Adha on July 10.
During the feast, Muslims sacrifice a sheep, lamb, goat, or a cow.
