Hajj pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat under scorching desert sun
Summary
Millions of Muslims gathered at Mount Arafat near Mecca for a key ritual of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Despite high temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius and ongoing regional conflicts, many pilgrims completed the event, which is one of the five main practices of Islam.Key Facts
- More than 1.5 million Muslims participated in the Hajj this year.
- Pilgrims gathered at the 70-meter high Mount Arafat for prayer and reciting Quranic verses.
- Temperatures at the site rose close to 40 degrees Celsius, with Mecca reaching up to 44 degrees.
- Volunteers provided water, food, and umbrellas to help pilgrims cope with the heat.
- Over 30,000 Iranian pilgrims came despite regional tensions and a war involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
- Pilgrims next travel to Muzdalifah to spend the night and collect pebbles for the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina.
- The Hajj is a religious duty required at least once in a lifetime for all Muslims who can physically and financially participate.
- The Saudi royal family holds religious authority over the holy sites and oversees the pilgrimage.
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