Web Desk: Millions of Muslims converged on the plains of Arafat on Tuesday to perform Wuquf-e-Arafah, the central rite of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi authorities intensified heat mitigation measures amid forecasts of extreme temperatures in the holy sites.
Pilgrims from more than 160 countries moved in large groups from Mina to Arafat after spending the night in prayer and reflection in the sprawling tent city, where chants of “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” echoed across the valley.
Under a blazing summer sun, worshippers dressed in white ihram garments gathered near Mount Arafat and Masjid al-Namirah to listen to the Hajj sermon before offering combined Zuhr and Asr prayers. They then devoted the day to supplication, repentance and prayers for the Muslim world until sunset.
In Islamic tradition, the Day of Arafat represents the pinnacle of Hajj. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, “Al-Hajj Arafah,” underscoring the rite’s central importance to the pilgrimage.
After sunset, pilgrims will leave Arafat for Muzdalifah without offering evening prayers at the site, following the Prophetic tradition. There, they will spend the night under the open sky and combine Maghrib and Isha prayers before collecting pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual in Mina.
On the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, which coincides with Eid al-Adha, pilgrims will return to Mina to perform the first stoning ritual at Jamarat al-Aqabah. They will then offer animal sacrifices and shave or trim their hair, marking the partial end of ihram restrictions.
Later, pilgrims will travel to the Grand Mosque in Mecca to perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah and the ritual walk between Safa and Marwah before returning to Mina for the remaining days of stoning rituals.
Saudi authorities have deployed extensive measures to protect pilgrims from heatstroke as temperatures in the holy sites are expected to exceed 45 degrees Celsius, with dust storms also forecast in parts of the region.
Officials expanded shaded areas and installed advanced cooling systems equipped with misting fans designed to reduce surrounding temperatures by up to seven degrees Celsius.
In addition, authorities introduced heat-resistant and flexible walkways in Arafat to reduce foot fatigue and prevent burns from scorching ground surfaces during long walks between ritual sites.
Thousands of hospital beds, mobile clinics and emergency medical teams have also been placed on high alert to respond to heat-related illnesses.
Saudi Arabia has further intensified tree plantation drives in Mina and Arafat as part of broader environmental initiatives aimed at lowering ambient temperatures and improving air quality around pilgrimage routes.
Saudi officials said this year’s pilgrimage reflects the kingdom’s broader push to modernize Hajj operations under Vision 2030 reforms.
Authorities are using smart cards and mobile applications to monitor pilgrim movement, coordinate transport and manage crowd flows in real time. Officials say the systems have significantly reduced the risks of stampedes and major accidents compared with previous decades.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam’s five pillars, draws millions of Muslims annually to commemorate the sacrifices associated with Prophet Ibrahim, Hajra and Prophet Ismail.
Following restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years, Saudi Arabia has fully reopened pilgrimage access, allowing more than 2 million worshippers to participate in what is one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
Beyond its spiritual significance, Hajj represents one of the most complex logistical operations in the world, requiring the management of transportation, accommodation, food supply, healthcare and security for millions of people within a confined area and limited timeframe.
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