Rain and pilgrims' tears soak Arafat

Makkah: The vast plains of Arafat were soaked yesterday with the tears of millions of repenting pilgrims at the spiritual high point of their meditation and prayers, on a day when dark clouds gathered overhead amid forecasts predicting more rains.

Heavy rains in Makkah and the holy sites, on the first day of Haj on Wednesday, had failed to dampen the spirit of up to three million pilgrims as they converged on Mount Arafat, seeking the mercy and blessings of God.

The pilgrims will proceed at daybreak today to Mina after spending the night in Muzdalifah, and will perform the first stoning ritual at Jamarat Al Aqba. Retracing the steps of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), they would need to perform four main rituals of Haj today.

In the wake of Wednesday's rainstorms — the first in years to occur during Haj — authorities have warned pilgrims to move carefully

Water seeped through tents in the sprawling tent city, in Mina, where pilgrims are required to stay for most part of the six-day Haj.

Civil Defence units battled to evacuate the pilgrims and remove the water pools from various parts of the city. They were equipped with highly advanced rescue units, including rubber boats, and helicopters.

No evacuations

Despite initial disruptions with the sweeping away of some tents, pilgrims continued with their rituals and no evacuation has been reported as yet.

The pilgrims' standing at Arafat, which represents the spiritual climax of Haj, was completed smoothly and peacefully.

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Shaikh Abdul Aziz Alu Al Shaikh delivered the Arafat sermon and led the Dhuhur and Asr prayers together in a shortened form.

In his speech, the Grand Mufti touched several topics concerning the Haj pilgrims and the Muslim Ummah in general.

He urged the pilgrims to follow closely the example set by the Prophet in all walks of their life. Shaikh Alu Al Shaikh slammed all forms of terrorism and urged Muslims to shun it.

Today, on the Day of Sacrifice, the faithful will return to the Mina Valley for performing four major rituals of Haj, beginning with throwing stones at the Jamarat Al Aqaba, representing Satan.

Then, they will sacrifice animals, cut their hairs or shave their heads and then proceed to Makkah to perform Tawaf Al Ifadah (circumambulation of Ifadah).

Kiswa changed

As part of an annual custom, the Kiswa (cover) of the Holy Ka'aba was changed yesterday on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijja, when pilgrims converged on Arafat.

Officials from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques took off the old Kiswa and installed the new one, which is made of pure silk and gold threads.

It costs more than 20 million Saudi riyals (Dh19.6 million) and is considered one of the most exquisite works of Islamic art.