RIYADH: Over 2.5 million Muslims are headed to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage of Hajj, which is expected to be the biggest in history as massive crowds could break attendance records despite soaring temperatures and all-time high costs.
Safe and reassured; Pilgrims of the Sacred House of Allah on their way to Arafat to stand on Mount Arafat.#Hajj#Hajj2023#يوم_عرفة #الحج pic.twitter.com/v9wFrzgCKB
— Haramain Archive (@muslimmakkah) June 27, 2023
Worshipers crowded Mount Arafat from before dawn on Tuesday. Mount Arafat is where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his final sermon in which he preached on equality, the rights of women, unity and accountability.
High temperatures have been a constant challenge for the pilgrims, who come from around the world, and the mercury hit 44 degrees celsius before midday on the Hajj’s most physically demanding day.
Largest human gathering in the world!!
Just imagine whole Ummah getting united on the day of Qiyamah!#Hajj1444 #hajj #hajj2023 pic.twitter.com/xSwveH7sP4— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) June 27, 2023
Tree-shaped water towers sprayed cooling showers on the visitors, and free water bottles and snacks were handed out from large trucks.
Six field hospitals with more than 300 beds have been arranged in Arafat, Yasser Bair, a Saudi defence ministry official, told the state-run Al-Ekhbariya TV.
“This year, we will witness the largest Hajj in history,” if things go according to plan, predicted an official with the Saudi ministry of Hajj and Umrah. “The numbers will exceed 2.5 million pilgrims,” added the official.
Scenes from the Masjid Al Namirah, Arafat of the guests of Rahman performing the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, combined and shortened. pic.twitter.com/8VMZp3Bjv0
— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) June 27, 2023
“Women’s Day in Haram”
"Yawm Al-Kholeef," derived from the Arabic word for "void" or "empty." As millions of pilgrims head to Mount Arafat on 9th Dhul Hijjah. When women and children head to Masjid Al Haram. pic.twitter.com/msyVIRJbMf
— The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) June 27, 2023
