MAKKAH-Al-MUKARRAMA – Millions of intending Hajj pilgrims from across the world will perform the Rukn-e-Azm of Hajj, Waqoof-e-Arafa today.
The Hajj pilgrims remained in the tent valley last night and today will move to Maidan-e-Arafat where the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) delivered his final sermon.
The pilgrims will also hear the Hajj Sermon at Masjid-e-Nimrah with translation in 50 languages.
After Saturday’s stay in Arafat, pilgrims will travel to Muzdalifa to collect pebbles that they will use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina.
The caravans of pilgrims from around the world had left Mina for the plains of Arafat after midnight on Friday via buses and the Mashair Train Service. The administration had separated the paths for ascending and descending Jabal al-Rahma to ensure smooth movement, allowing pilgrims to easily climb up and down the mountain.
The pilgrims who reached Jabal al-Rahma in the last part of the night were engaged in prayers while a large number of pilgrims had reached Masjid -e-Nimrah. Masjid-e- Nimrah is the only mosque in the world that is opened only for one day each year on the Day of Arafah.
Following the Hajj sermon, Zuhr and Asr prayers are offered together in imitation of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The plains of Arafat are approximately 21 kilometers from Makkah, located on the way to Taif, east of Makkah.
Among the Hajj sites, Arafat is the only place outside the Haram boundaries. Pilgrims will be transported from Arafat to the plains of Muzdalifah by the Mashair Train Service, where they will spend the night under the open sky and depart for Mina after performing the Fajr prayer.
Over 2,000 Palestinians are performing Hajj this year on the special invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Hajj Arrangements
This year, the Saudi authorities have tightened measures to ensure that only pilgrims with Hajj permits and Nusuk cards can enter the holy sites.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, effective traffic and security planning by the relevant authorities have facilitated the pilgrims. The Ministry of Health has mobilized over 34,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and administrative staff to ensure the well-being of the pilgrims.
730 ambulances and seven air ambulances are available to provide medical aid and transport people to one of the 189 designated hospitals, medical centers, and mobile clinics.
The local ministry reported that since June 7, its medical centers have performed 180 heart operations and over 470 dialysis procedures for pilgrims. By Tuesday, more than 70,000 pilgrims had benefited from the medical services provided by the Ministry.
With temperatures reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius in some areas, the local ministry urged all pilgrims to use umbrellas and drink plenty of water to avoid sun and heat exposure.
Earlier, institutions providing Hajj services to pilgrims from around the world residing in different areas of Makkah had issued schedules to prepare the pilgrims to don their Ihram and perform the Hajj rites accordingly.
The various translators have been provided by guides to facilitate pilgrims in different languages, ensuring they can timely wear Ihram and proceed with the Hajj rituals.
It may be mentioned here that the Hajj rituals began on Friday, June 14, with over 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world, including 160,000 Pakistanis, participating.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is financially and physically capable to perform this religious duty at least once in their lifetime.
