Thousands of Muslim pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia yesterday for the peak of the hajj pilgrimage, standing shoulder to shoulder in the scorching heat to complete one of Islam's five pillars. The day of Arafah, as it is known, marks the spiritual heart of the pilgrimage that draws nearly two million worshippers to the holy sites each year.
Pilgrims from across the world spent hours on the mountain in temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, offering prayers and supplications in what many described as an intensely emotional experience. For most, this moment represents the culmination of years of planning, saving, and spiritual preparation. Some had mortgaged property or spent their life savings to make the journey.
The gathering on Mount Arafat is mandatory for all pilgrims performing hajj. Islamic tradition holds that the Prophet Muhammad stood on this same mountain more than 1,400 years ago to deliver his final sermon, and pilgrims believe their presence there connects them spiritually to that historical moment. The day stretches from dawn until sunset, with worshippers remaining on the mountain throughout.
Nigerian pilgrims made up a significant portion of the crowd, with thousands having travelled under the auspices of the National Hajj Commission. Many Nigerian pilgrims told journalists they felt the hardship of the heat was insignificant compared to the spiritual reward of standing on Arafat. Some wept openly during prayers, overwhelmed by the scale of humanity surrounding them and the religious significance of the location.
Medical teams positioned across the mountain treated cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration, though major incidents remained limited given the number of people present. Saudi authorities deployed additional water distribution points and shaded rest areas to help manage conditions. The Hajj Ministry reported that crowd management operations proceeded smoothly despite the extreme weather.
After sunset, pilgrims will move to Muzdalifah for the night, then proceed to Mina for the final rituals of stoning the pillars that symbolise the rejection of evil. The hajj will conclude in the coming days with the festival of Ileya, known as Sallah in Nigeria, which Muslims worldwide celebrate.
