[PhillipHer]

ARAFAT: After spending the day at the spiritual highpoint of meditation and prayers in Arafat, millions of pilgrims moved after sunset to Muzdalifah to spend the night there before they proceed at daybreak to Mina and Jamrat.

There they will perform the stoning and other rituals, including the animal sacrifice marking the Eid Al-Adha.

Yesterday, a sea of humanity made their trek from Mina to Arafat from dawn. Intonations of “at thy service, my God, at thy service,” reverberated through the valley as the pilgrims stood to pray for God’s forgiveness in the most spiritual moment of the entire pilgrimage.

The standing at Arafat is considered the most pious act in Haj because Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his companions 14 centuries ago while teaching the rites of the fifth pillar of Islam, “Al-Haj Arafat” (“Haj is Arafat”) signifying that it is the importance of standing at Arafat. So far no major problems were reported in the event in which mediapersons said about three million pilgrims participated..........




http://edition.cnn.com/video/

http://edition.cnn.com/video/

http://edition.cnn.com/video/

[9mm_fan]

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI

MINA, Saudi Arabia

Dec. 7: Chanting prayers, nearly 3 million pilgrims from about 100 countries converged on Saturday in a valley just outside the holy city of Mecca at the beginning of the 5-day haj pilgrimage, a lifelong dream for many Muslims.

The pilgrims left Mecca after completing the first ritual of the Haj by circling the sacred Kaaba stone structure seven times inside the Grand Mosque, which Muslims all over the world face during their five daily prayers. Dressed in white robes, pilgrims piled into and on top of buses on their way to a ritual of prayer and reflection in Mina, some 3 miles east of Mecca.

The journey caused massive traffic jams on roads leading to Mina, where pilgrims will spend the night in white, fireproof tents. Some pilgrims chose to walk the route.

The Haj, packed with symbolism and ritual, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim who can financially afford to must perform it at least once in his or her lifetime. For Ahmed Malek, a pilgrim from the Maldives, the Haj teaches that all people are equal before God.

"Here, all the people are wearing identical white dress, no matter who they are," said Malek. "I get the lesson that all human beings will be judged on the basis of their deeds, not colour, race or social position." —AP

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Selamat Hari Raya, my malay and muslim friends in Singapore

[Lt_Apple]

Many tks for the wishes.

May we all live in peace & harmony together.

Amiin.

[HedgeYourBets]

may we all live in peace and harmony

selamat hari raya haji to all our muslim brothers and sisters