Hajj pilgrimage reaches crescendo

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia -- A barren plain outside Mecca is reverberating to the chants of two million Muslim faithful at the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The white-clad pilgrims are converging on Arafat, retracing the steps of Islam's Prophet Mohammed on a pilgrimage that is mandatory at least once for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.

Leaving all wealth and material things behind, they will spend the day praying for salvation and forgiveness.

As the human waves began reaching Arafat, they joined voices in a crescendo chant of the traditional Hajj call.

"Here I am, oh God, here I am! Thou art without a partner! Here I am! All praise is for Thee and from Thee are all the blessings! To Thee alone power and rule belongs!"

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A seemingly endless sea of pilgrims has covered the rocky plain since sunrise, making their way from Mina where they had spent the night under tents or out in the open air.

Many were moved to tears at the place where Prophet Mohammed is supposed to have delivered his final sermon 14 centuries ago to declare utter submission to God.

"This is the greatest day in my life," Mustapha, a pilgrim from Morocco said as tears streamed down his cheeks. "To be standing here in the presence of the Almighty is overwhelming."

The origin of the pilgrimage -- the fifth pillar of Islam -- is traced by Muslims to the Prophet Ibrahim and was taught by Mohammed to his followers.

After sunset the pilgrims will move to Muzdalifah, where they will gather pebbles for Monday's ritual stoning of the devil at Jamarat.

Saudi officials say the pilgrimage, which had been marred in recent years by tragedies, has been proceeding smoothly with King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah supervising movements.

The desert state has spent several billion dollars over the past decade to improve the facilities as well as road and electricity networks.

Many of the faithful are carrying umbrellas to fend off a blazing sun with temperatures expected to hit 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit).

Officials will distribute 10 million bottles of mineral water and one million hot meals to the pilgrims for free throughout the day.

Official figures show 1.36 million Muslims from 160 countries taking part in this year's Hajj, 96,000 more than last year. They are joined by about 500,000 Saudi worshippers.

Reuters contributed to this report.

In-depth: The Hajj
Hajj pilgrims flock to Mina
March 3, 2001

Islamic Gateway
My Hajj
Saudi Arabia Ministry of Information

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