Today saw the most important rite of the Hajj, the Day of Standing at Arafat.
All 2.3 million pilgrims stood in the baking sun for six hours, beseeching Allah to forgive them and wipe their souls clean.
They converged on Arafat, on the foothills of Mount Mercy where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his farewell
sermon.
This year's sermon was delivered by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia who stressed the unifying power of Islam and called
for a return to religion.
Travelling to Arafat
The pilgrims left Mina early to travel 7km southeast to Arafat, most arriving before the noon prayer time.
Buses, cars and pilgrims on foot choked the roads as everyone once again moved en-masse.
The Saudi Press Agency reported the hajjis journeyed to Arafat in record time this year.
Hajjis swarmed over the Mount of Mercy anxious to get closer to the spot where Prophet Mohammed delivered his sermon.
The rocky hillside was soon covered with white figures clustered together praying in hundreds of different tongues.
They chanted, prayed, meditated and raised their hands in the air, many were overcome with emotion and wept openly.
Serfraz Qayyum
Prayer is a personal matter, between an individual and Allah, though some shared what went through their minds
during a long afternoon of reflection and supplication.
British pilgrim, Serfraz Qayyum said he prayed for his family and friends, work colleagues, "anyone who has ever been nice to me, anyone who has asked me to pray for them. I even prayed my sister would pass her driver's licence test".
"I know I can't be perfect so I prayed I would be better."
The Arab News reported that a huge range of requests would have been made to Allah on the plains of Arafat. They suggested that all the pilgrims would have prayed for peace and for good sense to prevail.
Collecting pebbles at Muzdalifah
They spoke to Khurshid Alam from Lahore, Pakistan who was praying for something touchingly personal - success for
the Pakistani cricket team in the upcoming World Cup.
"I will definitely seek the help of Allah for my country to win this year's World Cup," he said. "I will pray for
the victory of Muslims in all fields. Whether it is on the battleground or the playground, I want Muslims to emerge
victorious."
At sunset the pilgrims headed to Muzdalifah to camp overnight and collect their pebbles for the Stoning of the Jamarat in Mina.
Many said they left Arafat on a high, feeling closer to Allah and their fellow Muslims than ever before.
Live at the Hajj
