Hajj 2025: Millions Gather at Mount Arafat for Wukuf Ritual

Millions of Muslims converge on Mount Arafat for Hajj's peak ritual. The annual Hajj pilgrimage reached its climax on Thursday as millions of Muslims gathered at Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia to perform the Wukuf ritual, a pillar of Islam. The event, rich in religious significance, saw pilgrims from all corners of the globe united in prayer and reflection. Footage from the site showed a sea of white-clad pilgrims filling the plains. "The atmosphere is one of intense devotion and unity," reported a journalist present at Arafah. This year, Saudi authorities issued a heat warning, urging pilgrims to take precautions against the intense heat. The Imam and Khatib of the Masjidil Haram, Sheikh Dr. Saleh Abdullah Humaid, delivered the Arafah sermon, a key moment in the Hajj proceedings. The successful completion of the Wukuf ritual marks a significant step in the annual pilgrimage, symbolizing the spiritual journey of millions of Muslims.