AMN
More than two million pilgrims from across the world converged at plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia today, for the important ritual of Haj. They gathered at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon about 1,400 years ago. It’s here, on a hill called Jabal al-Rahma, or Mountain of Mercy, where the Prophet Muhammad told his followers in his final sermon that just as men have certain rights over women, that women, too, have rights over men. He described women as partners who must be treated well and with kindness. He also spoke about racial equality in his sermon, saying that no person has superiority over the other based on ethnicity or race. He said distinction comes only through piety and good deeds.
Around one lakh 75 thousand pilgrims from India are also performing the Haj. The pilgrims wearing Ehraam or seamless white robes listened to the Haj- Sermon and offered afternoon and mid-day prayers together at Nimrah mosque today.
Haj pilgrims then leave for Muzdalifah and offer evening and night prayers together. The pilgrims will collect the pebbles for stoning the three concrete pillars representing the devil. They will spend the night there under the open sky and will return to Mina tomorrow morning for animal sacrifice and symbolic stoning of the devil. Wednesday will be the 3rd day of the festival