Pinnacle of hajj pilgrimage unites 2 million Muslims

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia — Some 2 million Muslim pilgrims gathered on Monday in the valley of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for a day of prayer that marks the pinnacle of the annual hajj.

Pilgrims stood shoulder to shoulder for an emotional day of repentance and supplication at the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon, calling for equality and for Muslims to unite. According to the hadiths, traditional collections of the prophet’s sayings and anecdotes about his life, Muhammad also reminded his followers of women’s rights and that every Muslim life and property is sacred.

Muslims believe prayer on this day at Mount Arafat, about 12 miles east of the holy city of Mecca, is their best chance to erase past sins and start anew.

“Today is the most important part of the hajj, and we are all feeling great, and we pray for all Muslims in the world,” said Abdel-munem Ali, a Libyan pilgrim.

Syrian pilgrim Mohammad Nezar said he was praying “to Allah to restore peace for people everywhere.”

Saudi Arabia has spent billions from its vast oil revenues on security and safety measures, particularly in Mina, where some of the hajj’s deadliest incidents have occurred.

The five-day hajj pilgrimage represents one of the world’s biggest gatherings every year, and is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life.