Pilgrims Gather at Arafat for Hajj’s Main Ritual

Millions of pilgrims gathered on the plain of Arafat on Tuesday to perform the central ritual of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, spending the day in worship and prayer amid temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius.

According to news agency AFP, pilgrims began arriving at Arafat after Fajr prayers on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.

From early morning, worshippers recited Talbiyah and Takbir, expressing complete submission and devotion to Almighty Allah while seeking forgiveness through prayers and supplications.

Pilgrims will remain within the designated boundaries of Arafat until sunset, spending the day in prayer, recitation of the Holy Quran, remembrance of Allah, and spiritual reflection. The plain of Arafat is historically significant as the place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his Farewell Sermon.

In Islamic tradition, staying at Arafat — known as “Wuquf-e-Arafah” — is considered the most important pillar of Hajj.

After sunset, pilgrims will travel to Muzdalifah, where they will collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning ritual of the devil, which begins in Mina on Wednesday.

Despite heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, more than 1.5 million Muslims from around the world have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year.

More than 30,000 pilgrims from Iran participated in this year’s Hajj, although Iranian authorities had initially expected around 86,000 pilgrims. Iran’s state news agency IRNA said the lower number was due to the “wartime situation.”

Saudi authorities, however, stated that more international pilgrims attended this year’s Hajj compared to 2025.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for every financially and physically capable Muslim.

Temperatures in Makkah have recently reached as high as 44 degrees Celsius. Saudi authorities have advised pilgrims to drink plenty of water and protect themselves from direct sunlight, as most Hajj rituals are performed outdoors and the pilgrimage lasts at least five days.