MOUNT ARAFAT- The annual Hajj pilgrimage reached its climax on Sunday when the Muslims from across the world swarmed a stoney hill in western Saudi Arabia to pray and recite from the Holy Quran.
The pilgrims started early on Sunday walking to Mount Arafat, to prepare for the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as the Kaaba had a new Kiswah (dress) on.
More than 1.8 million gathered from sunrise at the hill and a vast surrounding plain known as Mount Arafat, about 15 kilometres from Makkah.
Pilgrims will perform the noon and afternoon short combination prayers at Namirah Mosque, following the Sunna of Prophet Mohammad.

Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj officially started on Saturday 10 September 2016, with millions of people moving together from one holy site to the other.

Around two million pilgrims will stand today at the sacred plains of Mount Arafat to perform the Hajj rituals, while King Salman of Saudi is expected to arrive today in the tent-city of Mina before the afternoon prayers to supervise the services provided to the pilgrims and follow up on the safety and comfort of guests.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad watched over the pilgrims’ journey to Arafat, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Pilgrims descend from Arafat at sunset to make their way to Muzalifah where they perform the combined Maghrib and Isha prayers and gather pebbles for the last major rite of the Hajj. They spend the night at Muzalifah, often sleeping in the open air, before leaving for Mina the next morning.
Meanwhile, the annual custom of replacing the Kiswa (the black cloth with golden embroidery covering the Kaaba) took place after dawn prayers today.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef of saudi said that the number of pilgrims coming from abroad for this year’s Hajj season amounted to 1.3 million                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   pilgrims from 164 countries, 5 percent less than last year.
He said 1,246,883 pilgrims arrived to the Hajj by air, 65,766 pilgrims by land, and 12,723 pilgrims by sea.

Muslim pilgrims walk towards a rocky hill known as Mount Arafat on Sept 10, to prepare for the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the Saudi holy city of Makkah.

The pilgrims have completed their arrival at the holy site of Mina on Saturday coming from Mecca’s Grand Mosque to spend the day of Altarwaiah, before moving to Mount Arafat to complete their hajj rituals in keeping with what the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is supposed to have done.
Against a backdrop of distant, higher peaks, they squatted, stood, or climbed steps built into the stoney hill in western Saudi Arabia while reciting ritual incantations.

From a distance, the hill appeared a snowy white, as male pilgrims wear a seamless two-piece white garment, ihram.
It symbolises a state of purity and emphasises their unity regardless of social status or nationality.
Women wear a loose dress, typically also white, but some like Soumaya, 30, of Mali are in traditional attire, in her case an orange robe.
“We feel at ease and are totally benefiting from our pilgrimage,” she said, giving only one name.
“Everything is very well organised,” added her friend, Khadija Bechir, 23.
Pilgrims come from every corner of the globe, but Indonesia –the most populous Muslim nation – has the largest quota.
Official figures issued late Saturday said the total number of pilgrims exceeds 1.8 million, with more than 1.3 million arrived from outside the kingdom.
Huge processions of pilgrims arriving in Mina were accompanied by thousands of security men from various sectors.
Col. Sami Al-Shwairekh, chief of media and information at the Hajj Security Forces said that several camera drones will be accompanying the Hajj movements in the Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah sacred places, in addition to the Two Holy Mosques.
The General Authority for Statistics said Saturday that the number of pilgrims exceeded 1,800,000 until 5p.m. of Altarwaiah Day.
The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage that re-enacts the actions of the Prophet Muhammad from more than 1,400 years ago.
The Saudi Arabian government has sent at least 100,000 troops to the holy sites in Mecca where the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj officially started on Saturday, with millions of people moving together from one holy site to the other.
The measure is part of the efforts to prevent a repetition of last year’s tragic stampede that left hundreds dead.
It is one of the world’s largest human gatherings. Many things could go wrong, but most pilgrims were not worried.
“I have been here two weeks, and there is a lot of difference especially the system now as we coming out of the mosque is very good. So letting everyone out first, and then the ones who want to do the tawaf and sa’ay, they let them go in for about half an hour, which makes it a lot easy for everyone,” said one pilgrim.
“[The stampede] will not happen again, and everything is going well here. I feel comfortable deep in my heart,” said another pilgrim.
The main concern is Mina, the location of where last year’s stampede occurred. Authorities intend to distribute GPS bracelets to most pilgrims to give authorities an alert if over-crowding starts to form.

Source: KUNA and Agencies, 11 Sep. 2016