Friday, December 29, 2006 at 12:12am
Hajj approaches spiritual climax
In the spiritual climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Meccah, Saudi Arabia, more than two million Muslims took part in a prayer ceremony on Mount Arafat. The pilgrims will also hear a sermon modelled on the one Muhammad is believed to have given at the site about 1,400 years ago.
The Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon on Mount Arafat. A major theme of that sermon was equality between men and women and rich and poor, BBC News Online reported Friday.
The pilgrims wear identical white robes symbolizing the day of judgement. At day's end, considered one of the most important in a Muslim's life, pilgrims believe their sins will be absolved.
On Thursday morning, pilgrims from more than 70 countries walked three miles from Mecca to the tented city of Mina, their home for the next four days, and from where they ritually re-enact the trials of Abraham.
To complete the Hajj, pilgrims must walk seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba, a cube-like building in the center of the city's Great Mosque. Pilgrims at the current Hajj are expected to take part in the ritual on Saturday.
New safety measures have been added to the Hajj, aimed at preventing stampedes that have killed hundreds previously. The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is due to end on Monday. All Muslims are obligated to make the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically able and can afford it.
The Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon on Mount Arafat. A major theme of that sermon was equality between men and women and rich and poor, BBC News Online reported Friday.
The pilgrims wear identical white robes symbolizing the day of judgement. At day's end, considered one of the most important in a Muslim's life, pilgrims believe their sins will be absolved.
On Thursday morning, pilgrims from more than 70 countries walked three miles from Mecca to the tented city of Mina, their home for the next four days, and from where they ritually re-enact the trials of Abraham.
To complete the Hajj, pilgrims must walk seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba, a cube-like building in the center of the city's Great Mosque. Pilgrims at the current Hajj are expected to take part in the ritual on Saturday.
New safety measures have been added to the Hajj, aimed at preventing stampedes that have killed hundreds previously. The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is due to end on Monday. All Muslims are obligated to make the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically able and can afford it.