Differences are no reason for conflict, hear pilgrims during message for unity on Arafat

Sheikh Yusuf bin Mohammad bin Saeed preached about equality among Muslims of different races and backgrounds

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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

Muslims should unite in word, prayers and action, and should avoid conflict, Hajj preacher Sheikh Yusuf bin Mohammad said in his sermon on Mount Arafat on Tuesday.

Sheikh Yusuf, who has held several of the highest religious positions in Saudi Arabia before being appointed preacher at this year's Hajj, reminded the world that racism has no basis in Islam, quoting a hadith – or saying – by the Prophet Mohammed.

“There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and no superiority for a white-skinned person over a black-skinned person, except due to one’s consciousness of Allah.”

Sheikh Yusuf said: “God has forbidden amongst you the spilling of blood, looting of wealth and violation of honour.

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

Allah has commanded for “unity, love harmony and prohibits disputes and divisions”, Sheikh Yusuf added.

The sermon was translated into 20 languages and broadcast in its original Arabic with simultaneous sign language interpretation.

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

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

Pilgrims were due to combine their dhuhr and asr prayers in shortened forms, before making their way to Muzdalifah, an open area near the holy city of Makkah, near Mina, the “city of tents”.

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

At Muzdalifah, pilgrims gather pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual that begins on Wednesday, which is also the start of the Eid Al Adha feast of sacrifice marked by more than 1.5 billion Muslims globally.

Sheikh Yousef has been a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and served as a teacher at the Grand Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet Mohammed's mosque in Madinah among others.

He has also served as a preacher during Eid sermons for 20 years. Most recently, Sheikh Yousef was Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance for four years.