SUBHANALLAH
The annual Hajj pilgrimage started early on Wednesday with more than two million Muslim believers beginning their trek in buses, cars and on foot for the nearby tent city of Mina.
White-clad pilgrims from nearly 150 countries are taking part in this year's Hajj in what is the largest gathering of Muslims in the world. Some 125,000 Bangladeshis are performing Hajj this year.
According to Arab News, hundreds of thousands of believers chanting "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" ("Here I am, O Allah, here I am"), began their trek Tuesday night to Mina.
The weather was moderate with a mild and cool breeze blowing across the Mina valley.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency said all of the pilgrims took position in Mina by Wednesday noon.
Saudi Arabia has left nothing to chance to ensure that pilgrims perform the arduous rituals with ease and comfort. Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, is personally following up the security plan.
Thursday is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage when pilgrims ascend Mount Arafat, some 10 kilometres (six miles) southeast of Mina, to spend the day in prayer.
The hilltop and the surrounding plain is where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final Hajj sermon before his death.
After sunset, the pilgrims head to Muzdalifah, between Mina and Arafat, where they collect stones to throw at the devil, one of the last rituals which takes place Friday and marks the first day of Eid-ul-Azha, the annual feast of sacrifice.
The symbolic "stoning of the devil" is followed by the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a lamb.
During the remaining three days of the Hajj, the pilgrims continue the ritual stoning before performing the circumambulation of the Kaaba shrine in Mecca and heading home.
All Muslims are required to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetimes if they have the means to do so.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage started early on Wednesday with more than two million Muslim believers beginning their trek in buses, cars and on foot for the nearby tent city of Mina.
White-clad pilgrims from nearly 150 countries are taking part in this year's Hajj in what is the largest gathering of Muslims in the world. Some 125,000 Bangladeshis are performing Hajj this year.
According to Arab News, hundreds of thousands of believers chanting "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" ("Here I am, O Allah, here I am"), began their trek Tuesday night to Mina.
The weather was moderate with a mild and cool breeze blowing across the Mina valley.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency said all of the pilgrims took position in Mina by Wednesday noon.
Saudi Arabia has left nothing to chance to ensure that pilgrims perform the arduous rituals with ease and comfort. Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, is personally following up the security plan.
Thursday is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage when pilgrims ascend Mount Arafat, some 10 kilometres (six miles) southeast of Mina, to spend the day in prayer.
The hilltop and the surrounding plain is where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final Hajj sermon before his death.
After sunset, the pilgrims head to Muzdalifah, between Mina and Arafat, where they collect stones to throw at the devil, one of the last rituals which takes place Friday and marks the first day of Eid-ul-Azha, the annual feast of sacrifice.
The symbolic "stoning of the devil" is followed by the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a lamb.
During the remaining three days of the Hajj, the pilgrims continue the ritual stoning before performing the circumambulation of the Kaaba shrine in Mecca and heading home.
All Muslims are required to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetimes if they have the means to do so.
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