A sea of pilgrims ascended Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Monday to pray and repent, the climax of the annual Haj bringing together more than two million Muslims from around the world.
Carrying brightly coloured umbrellas under the blazing sun, worshippers scaled the rocky hill southeast of the holy city of Makkah to atone for their sins.
Arms raised, pilgrims repeated, “There is no God but Allah” and “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest).
Nearly 2.4 million Muslims made the trip to Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, according to the kingdom's statistics authority.
Some of the pilgrims — men in white seamless garments and women in loose dresses — pushed elderly relatives in wheelchairs on the second day of the Haj, one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
A pilgrim prays while gathering with others atop Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma.—AFP
Pilgrims visit the Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain, or the mountain of forgiveness, upon their arrival to Arafat for the annual Haj pilgrimage. —AP
Pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy). —AFP
Arafat is the site where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave his last sermon about 14 centuries ago after leading his followers on the pilgrimage. —AFP
Pilgrims walk towards the Namirah mosque on Arafat Mountain during the annual Haj pilgrimage. —AFP
Pilgrims attend noon prayers outside the Namirah mosque on Arafat Mountain. —AFP
Pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the holy city of Makkah. —AFP
An aerial view shows pilgrims praying at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy). —AFP
A pilgrim prays at Jabal Al Rahma, or the mountain of forgiveness, at Arafat for the annual Haj pilgrimage. —AP
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