Pilgrims perform key Hajj rite

An estimated three million pilgrims have begun to gather on the plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia for a key rite of Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage.

Some pilgrims spent the night sleeping near the Namira mosque at Mount Arafat [AFP]
Some pilgrims spent the night sleeping near the Namira mosque at Mount Arafat [AFP]
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca November 26, 2009. More than two million Muslims gather this week for the annual haj pilgrimage to Islam's holy city of Mecca. The haj is one of the world's biggest displays of mass religious devotion and a duty for Muslims who can perform it.[Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca November 26, 2009. More than two million Muslims gather this week for the annual haj pilgrimage to Islam’s holy city of Mecca. The haj is one of the world’s biggest displays of mass religious devotion and a duty for Muslims who can perform it.[Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims sit on a rock on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca November 26, 2009.[Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims sit on a rock on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca November 26, 2009.[Agencies]

Muslim pilgrims touch the Jabal al-Rahma pillar on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca November 26, 2009.[Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims touch the Jabal al-Rahma pillar on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca November 26, 2009.[Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during morning prayers before the start of this year's haj pilgrimage November 24, 2009. [Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during morning prayers before the start of this year’s haj pilgrimage November 24, 2009. [Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during morning prayers before the start of this year's haj pilgrimage November 24, 2009. [Agencies]
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during morning prayers before the start of this year’s haj pilgrimage November 24, 2009. [Agencies]


Pilgrims began flocking to the plains before dawn on Thursday, in the aftermath of stormy weather and reports that, away from the pilgrimage, about 50 people were killed in flood waters in the country’s west.

A downpour hit Mecca province and the port city of Jeddah, where television footage showed storm waters and stranded motorists.

The heavy rains also drenched the pilgrims as they arrived at Mina’s camp grounds from Mecca and surrounding areas.

Many took shelter under bridges, tarpaulins or whatever they could find, and when the rains abated in the afternoon, Saudi authorities reportedly handed out dry ihram clothes – the two pieces of unstitched white cloth that male pilgrims wear.

Flu fears

On Thursday, pilgrims will spend the day at Arafat in reverent prayer, often calling out the chant: “Here I am in answer to Thy call, Lord, here I am. There is no other God but Thee. Praise be unto Thee.”

Hajj got off to a soggy start on Wednesday morning, when heavy rains drenched pilgrims arriving at Mina’s campgrounds from Mecca and surrounding areas.Mount Arafat, at the centre of the plains, was the scene of the Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon.

The day of Arafat is considered one of the most sacred days of the Islamic lunar calendar and many Muslims not performing Hajj choose to mark it by fasting.

The wet weather has heightened fears of a possible outbreak of H1N1 flu during Hajj.

Those concerns dominated headlines in the weeks and months before Hajj, as pilgrims arrived in droves from around 160 different countries.

‘Under control’

Abullah al-Rabeaah, Saudi’s health minster, sought to play down those concerns on Wednesday, saying all possible precautions had been taken.

“The status is reassuring, our assessment shows that H1N1 is under control,” al-Rabeaah told Al Jazeera.

He said that 67 pilgrims have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu. All of them have been given medical treatment, but four cases remain in intensive care.

At least four pilgrims have already died of H1N1 flu.

On Friday, pilgrims will return to Mina, after stopping the night at Muzdalifah, to carry out another ritual where pilgrims hurl stones at one of three walls called jamarat, symbolising the stoning of the devil.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims with the financial means to undertake it once in their lifetimes. [Source:Al-Jazeera]

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