Arafat, Jun 05 (V7N) — The sacred plains of Arafat echoed with the heartfelt chant of “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” on Thursday, as millions of pilgrims gathered to perform the pivotal ritual of Hajj. Staying at Arafat is regarded as the central element of the pilgrimage, without which Hajj is considered incomplete.

On the second day of Hajj, pilgrims left Mina after Fajr prayers and arrived at Arafat at sunrise, in accordance with Islamic rites. They will remain there until sunset, offering prayers, seeking forgiveness, and listening to the annual Hajj sermon.

This year’s sermon is being delivered by Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, the Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. For the benefit of the global Muslim community, the sermon is being broadcast live in 34 languages, including Bengali.

In view of the extreme heat, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has advised pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10 am and 4 pm to prevent heatstroke and exhaustion.

After sunset, the pilgrims will proceed to Muzdalifah, where they will spend the night under the open sky and collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil (Ramy al-Jamarat), which will take place on the 10th of Zil Hijjah — the day of Eid al-Adha.

On that day, the pilgrims will perform a series of sacred rituals: stoning the devil at Jamarat, sacrificing an animal (Qurbani), shaving their heads, and performing the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) in Mecca.

The Hajj pilgrimage will conclude with pilgrims completing the remaining rites on the 11th and 12th of Zil Hijjah. Over 1.5 million Muslims from across the globe are taking part in this year’s Hajj.

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