Fazle Rabbi From Arafat in Saudi Arabia – The main rituals of the holy Hajj have officially begun as over 1.6 million pilgrims gathered at the historic plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday (9 Dhul Hijjah), before the Fajr prayers, pilgrims from all corners of the globe converged on the desert plateau, echoing the sacred chant, “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (Here I am, O Allah, here I am).
Since dawn, pilgrims have been immersed in prayers, reciting the Holy Quran, and seeking forgiveness from Almighty Allah. According to Islamic tradition, staying at Arafat is the most crucial pillar (Fard) of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Earlier on Monday, the official journey began with pilgrims spending the day and night in the tent city of Mina. Following Tuesday’s Fajr prayers, they started moving toward Arafat.
Today, the veteran Imam and Khatib of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Sheikh Ali bin Abdur Rahman Al-Huthaify, will deliver the Hajj sermon from Masjid-e-Namirah. After the sermon, pilgrims will perform the Dhuhr and Asr prayers combined.
Following sunset, the congregation will move to Muzdalifah. After spending the night there under the open sky, they will return to Mina on Wednesday to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil, offer animal sacrifices, and return to Makkah for the Tawaf Al-Ifadah.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, over 1.5 million registered international pilgrims are participating this year, including around 78,500 from Bangladesh. Combined with domestic pilgrims, the total gathering at Arafat has exceeded 1.6 million.
Located about 20 kilometers southeast of Makkah, the historic plain of Arafat surrounds Jabal al-Rahmah (The Mountain of Mercy), where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his historic Farewell Sermon in 632 AD.