MOUNT ARAFAT: Around two million Muslims gathered on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for the highlight of their Haj pilgrimage.

With temperatures pushing 40 degrees Celsius under the desert sun, the faithful climbed the hill east of Makkah on the second day of the pilgrimage, which is dedicated to prayer and reflection.

About 179,000 Pakistanis were among those who performed what is called the rukn-i-azam of Haj and listened to the sermon delivered from Masjid-i-Nimra by Imam Dr Shaykh Saa’d bin Nasir al-Shithri.

In his sermon, Sheikh Al-Shithri urged the pilgrims to be pious and fear God in all walks of life.

“Hold fast to the rope of Allah and stay away from what He has forbidden, and this is essential for winning the pleasure and love of God and thus achieving success in the life of this world and the hereafter,” he said.

Sheikh Al-Shithri called on the pilgrims to shun all forms of sectarianism and division among members of the Ummah.

He also underscored the need to honour the dignity of all human beings.

This year’s Haj has seen the return of pilgrims from Iran following a diplomatic row between Tehran and Riyadh and a deadly stampede in 2015.

But thousands who would normally make the journey from neighbouring Qatar are absent apart from a few dozen because of the diplomatic crisis shaking the Gulf.

Iranian authorities say more than 86,000 Iranian pilgrims are taking part in the pilgrimage, each equipped with an identity bracelet in case of an accident.

Saudi Arabia says it has deployed more than 100,000 security personnel to keep pilgrims safe.

Helicopters flew around the area as the pilgrims converged from dawn on the Mount Arafat’s plain and the hill known as Jabal al-Rahma.

Forming a sea of white, the pilgrims ascended the hill and took up positions to pray on rocks already heated by the morning sun.

Tunisian mother-of-three Fatima Arfawi said she was moved beyond words. “This is the first time I see anything like this, ever,” she said. “This day is dedicated to prayer for my three children and my family.”

In a hospital opposite the mountain, an area was set aside for people suffering dehydration or heat exhaustion.

Saudi Arabia’s Red Crescent said it had deployed 326 ambulances along the pilgrimage route to handle health emergencies.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2017