940 : Religion

Millions of Pilgrims Gather at Mount Arafat for the Day of Arafah

At sunrise this morning, Muslim pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat near Mecca to observe the Day of Arafah, the most important moment of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. More than 1.8 million worshippers are expected to participate in Hajj 2026.

The Facts: What Is Happening Today?

Time	Event
Sunrise	Pilgrims leave Mina and travel to Mount Arafat, also known as the “Mountain of Mercy”
Noon – 6 PM	Time dedicated to prayer, reflection, and worship. This ritual, known as wuquf, represents standing before God and is the central act of Hajj
Sunset	Pilgrims depart for Muzdalifah to collect stones for the next day’s ritual connected to Eid al-Adha
2026	Saudi Arabia announced approximately 1.83 million international and local pilgrims. Security measures include drones, AI systems, and expanded crowd management technology

Why Is This Important?

1. The Fifth Pillar of Islam : Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able. Many Islamic scholars say: “Hajj is Arafah.”

2. A Global Gathering : Pilgrims from more than 180 nationalities stand side by side, making Hajj one of the world’s largest annual human gatherings.

3. Climate & Safety Challenges : Temperatures in Mecca during 2026 are expected to reach around 43°C (109°F). Saudi authorities deployed more than 32,000 personnel, climate-controlled hospitals, and large misting systems to protect pilgrims from extreme heat.

Numbers to Remember

More than 1.8 million pilgrims expected during Hajj 2026
Approximately 14 km separates Mecca from Mount Arafat
Mount Arafat rises about 70 meters above the surrounding plain
The year 632 AD marks the Prophet Muhammad’s Farewell Sermon delivered at this same location