Pilgrims prepare for Eid Al Adha with joy over the return of pre-pandemic Hajj

More than 1.8 million Muslims take part in Day of Arafat

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  Muslim pilgrims pray on top of Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat during Hajj. AFP

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  A Syrian man prays inside a tent near Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, to the south-east of Makkah. EPA

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  Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA

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  Syrian men pray inside a tent near Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Libyan pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Muslim pilgrims walk on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA

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  A woman prays on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA

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  Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA

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  Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to protect themselves from the heat. EPA

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  A Muslim man prays on Mount Arafat. EPA

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  Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat during Hajj. Pilgrims who do not visit Mount Arafat on Tuesday will not have completed Hajj. AFP

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  A pilgrim protects herself from the sun near the holy city of Makkah. AP

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  The crowd on Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

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  Pilgrims collect pebbles at Mount Arafat. Worshippers are recommended to collect 70 pebbles so they may participate in Jamarat. AFP

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  Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP

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  On the second day of Hajj millions of pilgrims will perform Fajr in Mina, then make their way to Mount Arafat, about 21 kilometres away. AFP

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  Pilgrims pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP

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  The mountain is where Prophet Mohammed is said to have delivered his final sermon. AFP

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  Pilgrims typically spend the full day at Mount Arafat, praying and supplicating to God. AFP

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  Rituals end at sunset, when pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah, south of Mina, for shortened Maghrib and Isha prayers. EPA

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  Muslim pilgrims pray at Namira Mosque on the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

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  Syrian amputees rest inside their tent near Mount Arafat. AFP

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  Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat near Makkah, Saudi Arabia for the second day of Hajj. Reuters

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  Water mist is sprayed to help pilgrims keep cool as temperatures on Mount Arafat reach extreme highs. Reuters

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  Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Makkah. Reuters

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  Saudi authorities expect more than 2 million pilgrims to undertake Hajj this year following the lifting of Covid restrictions. Reuters

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  On the second day of Hajj, pilgrims travel from Mina, near Makkah, to Mount Arafat, where they will hear a sermon by Sheikh Yousef bin Mohammad. Reuters

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  On the morning of the Day of Arafah, the second day of Hajj, pilgrims offer a prayer at Nimrah mosque before heading to Mount Arafat. Reuters

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  Muslim pilgrims gather at top of the rocky hill known as Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed gave his final sermon. AP

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  This year's sermon will be translated into 20 languages and is expected to be heard by around 300 million listeners. AP

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  Pilgrims typically spend the full day at Mount Arafat, praying and supplicating to God. Reuters

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  Mount Arafat is said to be where Adam and Eve were reunited on Earth after falling from heaven. Reuters

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  Dhuhr (past midday) and Asr (late afternoon) prayers will be performed communally in the Arafat valley after the Hajj sermon is read. Reuters

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  Rituals end at sunset, when pilgrims will make their way to Muzdalifah, south of Mina, for shortened Maghrib and Isha prayers. Reuters

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  All over the world, millions of Muslims not undertaking Hajj this year will mark the Day of Arafah by fasting. Reuters

Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here

With celebrations for Eid Al Adha set to begin on Wednesday, Hajj pilgrims continue their spiritual journey.

In Saudi Arabia, more than 1.8 million Muslims took part in the Day of Arafat, scaling Mount Arafat amid high temperatures.

By the afternoon, thousands of men and women, many carrying umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun's rays amid temperatures of up to 48ºC, stood on the granite hill where Prophet Mohammed is said to have delivered his final sermon.

“It’s extremely hot, but we are lucky to be here. We are very blessed and we don’t take that for granted,” said pilgrim Eman Ali.

Hajj preacher Sheikh Yousef bin Mohammed called for Muslims to unite in prayer and avoid conflict during the sermon he delivered at Namirah Mosque.

Sheikh Yousef, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars who has served as a preacher during Eid for about 20 years, emphasised to pilgrims that racism had no basis in Islam.

“God has forbidden among you the spilling of blood, looting of wealth and violation of honour,” Sheikh Yousef said.

“The difference in languages, colours and ethnicities does not justify falling into discords and divisions.”

God has commanded “unity, love and harmony, and prohibits disputes and divisions”, he said.

His sermon was translated into 20 languages and broadcast in the original Arabic, with simultaneous sign language interpretation.

Millions of pilgrims listened to the sermon and many more watched from abroad.

“We are all watching the Hajj sermon live on YouTube,” Diana Wijaya from Indonesia told The National.

Pilgrims combined their dhuhr and asr prayers in shortened forms before making their way to Muzdalifah, where they will spend the night.

There, they will collect pebbles to take with them to the stoning of the devil on the first day of Eid Al Adha on Wednesday before heading to back to Makkah's Grand Mosque to perform a final circumambulation of the Kaaba.

Worshippers are recommended to collect 70 pebbles to cast at three pillars where the devil is said to have appeared to the Prophet Ibrahim.

Egyptian schoolteacher Tasneem Gamal, 35, said she was overwhelmed by the experience.

“I cannot describe my feelings. I am living a great joy,” she told AFP.

Ms Gamal said she was performing Hajj without a male guardian, a requirement that Saudi authorities lifted in 2021.

This year, a maximum age limit has also been removed, giving thousands of elderly Muslims the chance to attend.

Heat presents challenges

A Saudi soldier sprinkles water on pilgrims to cool them off as they walk to pray at Mount Arafat during Hajj. EPA

As helicopters buzzed overhead, entry roads were packed with worshippers. Thousands of health workers were also on alert for cases of heatstroke and exhaustion.

The heat risk will be highest from 12pm to 3pm, when outdoor labour is banned in Saudi Arabia between June and September to protect workers.

The Ministry of Health has alerted pilgrims to the dangers of heat stress during Hajj amid a rise in temperatures that can pose a threat to health.

It stressed that using umbrellas, drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding physical exertion and following health guidelines can help protect against problems arising from the heat.

The ministry said hospitals near Arafat were ready to provide medical care to pilgrims. More than 900 beds have been prepared in the four hospitals, fully equipped to receive cases of sunstroke, heat exhaustion and other emergencies.

Before heading to Arafat, American engineer Ahmed Ahmadine, 37, said he felt blessed to be able to take part in the pilgrimage.

“I try to focus on praying for my family and friends,” he said.

“This is an opportunity that will not be repeated.”