Muslim pilgrims gathered today on the outskirts of Makkah at Jabal al-Rahmah, also known as Mount Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his last sermon, as part of Haj rites as the holy week nears its completion.

Carrying colourful umbrellas to protect themselves from the sweltering heat, the pilgrims could be seen walking on foot to make their way to the top of the mountain, where they would sit and pray before moving on to the stoning ritual at Muzdalifa, halfway between Mina and Arafat.

Speaking to AFP, one of the pilgrims from Pakistan said, “I’ve been trying to get here… for the past 3 years,” adding that he feels blessed to be there.

Many pilgrims rushed to get there early so they could avoid the scorching heat. This year, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024 in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of 1,300 pilgrims.

The world’s largest gathering kicked off on Friday as Muslims from all over the world poured into Saudi Arabia. One of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, Haj is performed every year in Makkah with millions of pilgrims travelling to the holy land to partake in the ritual.

Header image: Muslim pilgrims pray at dawn on Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage on June 5. — AFP