Labbaik Allahumma… 2 million Muslims mass at Mt. Arafat

By: Abdulali

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia: Over two million Muslims on Saturday crammed Mount Arafat near the holy city of Mecca at the climax of the hajj pilgrimage, with some 5,000 Saudi security forces were deployed in and around the holy city for security.

Dressed in white robes that erase differences of class or culture, chanting in unison “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaik La Sharika Laka Labbaik, Innal Hamda Wan Ne’mata Laka Wal Mulk La Sharika Lak”, at dawn the pilgrims headed to Mount Arafat where the Prophet Mohammad (p) gave his farewell sermon 14 centuries ago.

Despite earlier forecasts of rain, the skies were clear and temperatures at the holiest of sites were expected to 86. Along the path to Mount Arafat, sprinklers mounted on poles cooled worshippers. Free water and milk were handed out.

Pilgrims performed joined Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers in Arafat led by the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, who also delivered a sermon.

In the sermon, he urged Muslims to follow closely the teachings of Islam and practice their Islamic duties.

On Sunday, the pilgrims will throw stones at the devil in Mina. The holiday of Eid-ul-Adha, or feast of the sacrifice, begins the same day, with the sacrifice of sheep, goats, cows and camels in commemoration of Prophet Abraham (p)'s willingness to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (p) at Allah's command.

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