Saudi Arabia Says over 1.7 Million Pilgrims Performed this Year’s Hajj

Saudi Arabia announced that more than 1.7 million pilgrims performed this year's Hajj. Masjid al-Namirah, a significant Islamic landmark in the plain of Arafat, served as the venue for the Arafat Sermon. This sermon is a spiritually crucial moment during the Hajj season, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who gather from early morning to listen. The mosque is unique as it hosts only one congregational prayer annually on the Day of Arafat. The Arafat Sermon was broadcast live worldwide in multiple languages, highlighting the occasion's immense Islamic significance. Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Huthaify delivered the sermon, focusing on the meanings of piety, the importance of preparing for the Day of Judgment, and achieving salvation through obedience to God. He urged Muslims to increase their remembrance of God and supplication, particularly reciting the phrase: "There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and praise, and He has power over all things." The preacher also stressed the Hajj season's role in uniting Muslims globally through unified worship and shared rituals. He called for glorifying God's rites, maintaining calmness and order, and avoiding actions that disrupt the pilgrimage's spirit. Pilgrims were advised to maintain calmness, avoid overcrowding, follow organizers' instructions, and adhere to crowd management schedules to ensure public interest, prevent harm, and facilitate the rituals. The sermon also touched upon manifestations of acquaintance, harmony, cooperation, and solidarity embodied by the Hajj.

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There is no god but Allah alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and praise, and He has power over all things.