The Hajj

(Arafat Valley, Saudi Arabia) It's reported that an estimated three million pilgrims participated in today's Hajj activities pleading for forgiveness from Allah and chanting "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" (O God, I am answering your call).

Starting at dawn, the believers walked and rode toward the Mount of Mercy, where Prophet Mohammed delivered his last sermon.

The scene in Arafat reached its peak when pilgrims performed the combined and shortened Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led the prayers and delivered his annual sermon at Namerah mosque.

Al-Sheikh stressed the unifying power of Islam and called for a return to religion by following the teachings of Islam.

All necessary services and facilities, including medical facilities, fresh water and foodstuffs, were available in Arafat.

Helicopters were flying in the morning over the plains of Arafat to contribute to the smooth progress of the pilgrims while the security forces, traffic officials, civil defense and boy scouts were on the spot to provide the pilgrims with all possible services. Many trucks, parked by the side of the road, were giving away food and water to pilgrims.

Beggars, with their emotional tricks, were lying at the center of Arafat roads despite efforts by police to ban them.

It's hard to imagine three million people chanting together much less three million people properly performing Wudhu (ablution) prior to the multiple daily prayer sessions. Despite how many facilities are available, there must be massive lines of people waiting to cleanse themselves.

Given the tremendous crowding, I suspect that some folks are glad that the Pillars of Islam only require one pilgrimage to Mecca during a lifetime.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.