Over 2,000,000 Muslims gather at Arafat for Hajj

More than two million Muslim pilgrims gathered on the Plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the spiritual climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The event, known as the Day of Arafat, is considered the central and most essential rite of the five-day religious journey.

Worshippers from across the world converged on the vast desert plain near Mount Mercy, or Jabal al-Rahmah, from the early morning hours. Dressed in simple white garments symbolizing equality, they spent the day in prayer, Quran recitation, and supplication, seeking forgiveness and spiritual renewal. The day's rituals included a sermon delivered near the site where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his farewell sermon over 1,400 years ago, followed by combined afternoon prayers.

Saudi authorities reported that the total number of worshippers at Arafat exceeded two million, including more than 1.5 million international pilgrims. Officials had implemented extensive operational plans to manage the massive gathering, including crowd-control systems, transportation networks, and comprehensive medical services. Emergency and mountain rescue teams were deployed across the site, with hospitals and...