Muslims at haj gather on Mount Arafat to atone for sins

SUMMARY

Twenty lakh Muslims gathered at Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat on Saturday amid the summer heat and regional tensions for a vigil to atone for their sins and seek God's forgiveness as part of the annual haj pilgrimage. Pilgrims clad in white robes signifying a state of purity spent the night in a sprawling encampment around the hill where Islam holds that God tested Abraham's faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son Ismail. It is also where Prophet Mohammad gave his last sermon.

By ReutersAug 10, 2019 5:15:37 PM IST (Updated)

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Twenty lakh Muslims gathered at Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat on Saturday amid the summer heat and regional tensions for a vigil to atone for their sins and seek God's forgiveness as part of the annual haj pilgrimage. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Pilgrims clad in white robes signifying a state of purity spent the night in a sprawling encampment around the hill where Islam holds that God tested Abraham's faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son Ismail. It is also where Prophet Mohammad gave his last sermon. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Other worshippers who had been praying in the nearby Mina area ascended in buses or on foot from before dawn. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Some carried food, carpets for camping and fans to keep cool as temperatures rose towards 40 degrees Celsius. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Muslim pilgrims arrive to pray outside Namira Mosque on the plains of Arafat. REUTERS/ Umit Bektas