Chicago – June 06, 2025
On Thursday, corresponding to Dul Hijjah 9, more than 1.67 million pilgrims gathered on the plain of Arafat, marking the spiritual apex of the Hajj pilgrimage.
From early morning, the atmosphere in Arafat was one of intense devotion, with worshippers praying, reciting the Qur’an, and raising their hands in supplication.
The Day of Arafat, considered the most sacred in the Islamic calendar, is the heart of the Hajj journey.
As the sun set over Mount Arafat, signaling the end of the day’s rituals, pilgrims began leaving en masse for Muzdalifah, a holy site nestled between Arafat and Mina.
The move to Muzdalifah is an integral part of Hajj, combining logistical coordination with spiritual significance.
This leg of the journey is tightly choreographed by Saudi authorities to ensure safe and efficient travel despite the enormous scale of the operation.
In a powerful and emotional sermon delivered during Hajj 2025 from Masjid al-Namirah, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, Imam of Masjid al-Haram and a member of the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars, prayed for the people of Palestine and called for the destruction of their enemies.
“O Allah, help the people of Palestine and destroy its enemies. Forgive the martyrs and grant healing to the wounded,” he supplicated, drawing attention to the suffering caused by ongoing violence.
Addressing millions of pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat on the Day of Arafah, Sheikh Saleh urged Muslims to continue praying and giving zakat to support the needy. He emphasized the importance of neighborly care, compassion for orphans, widows, and the underprivileged, and kindness toward parents.
Most of this year’s more than 1.6 million pilgrims had begun performing Tawaf Al-Ifadah by Friday in Makkah — the ritual that marks the final days of Hajj and the beginning of Eid Al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world.
Eid day began with masses of pilgrims performing the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina under moderate temperatures nearing 30 C, with the National Center for Meteorology forecasting a high of up to 40 C. The stoning ritual is among the final rites of Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
The Tawaf Al-Ifadah — derived from the Arabic word meaning “to pour forth” — refers to the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba performed by pilgrims after returning from Mina.
It is one of the essential and obligatory rites of Hajj. It involves walking around the Kaaba seven times within the Grand Mosque in Makkah, following the pilgrims’ return from Mina where they perform the symbolic stoning of the devil.
