By Our Correspondent

National News – Millions of Muslim pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat near the holy city of Mecca on Tuesday as the 2026 hajj pilgrimage reached its spiritual peak.

Worshippers dressed in white robes recited Quranic verses and prayed under intense desert heat, with temperatures climbing close to 40 degrees Celsius.

The gathering marked one of the most important rituals of hajj, where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his farewell sermon over 1,400 years ago.

More than 1.5 million pilgrims from across the world travelled to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Saudi officials confirmed that international pilgrim arrivals exceeded the figures recorded in 2025, showing a strong turnout despite regional security concerns.

According to Iranian state media, over 30,000 Iranian pilgrims participated in the hajj this year, a significant drop from the expected 86,000 due to the wartime situation affecting travel plans.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia increased safety measures and advised pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the scorching sun during the outdoor rituals.

After prayers at Mount Arafat, pilgrims are expected to move to Muzdalifah, where they will spend the night and gather pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual scheduled to begin in Mina on Wednesday.

The annual pilgrimage remains one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.

The hajj also continues to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s religious significance, with the kingdom serving as custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina.

Security personnel and emergency workers have remained on high alert throughout the pilgrimage to ensure the safety of worshippers.