Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have gathered at Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar, flooding social media with incredible images.
At least 1.38 million - with some estimated placing the numbers at two million - are expected to traverse the plains of Arafat to the Mount, the location of one of the Prophet Mohamed’s final and most important sermons in 632AD to approximately 114,000 pilgrims.
Their journey marks the first day of the festival of Eid ul-Adha, falling approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan, and is believed to absolve Muslims who make the 1.4km journey of their sins.
Saudi authorities cleared the route to the Mount with incredible pictures showing thousands upon thousands of white-robed Muslims making the journey.
It has become significantly easier in recent years. The construction of a high-speed railway by has cut the journey from several hours snarled in traffic to a seven-minute shuttle.
Despite this, the journey is not without its difficulties as worshippers battled extreme heat with estimated temperatures of 44C expected.
Social media giant Snapchat collated many of the worshippers’ images for a public stream – as they did with the hugely popular snap of Mecca earlier this year.
Twitter and Instagram users also documented their travels.
#Arafah -millions of people moving like a sea of white, a giant wave seeking forgiveness from the Almighty #Hajj2015 pic.twitter.com/8vYsRXKQyz
— My Surname is Khan™ (@ejaz_k) September 23, 2015
So beautiful pic.twitter.com/nVTYGjgW9c
— kashaf (@zeyonse) September 23, 2015
One Lord(God)
Same color clothes and one way ,
#Arafah #Hajh #MillionPicturesOfHajj pic.twitter.com/ECSyM1RXu1
— الحسام (@Excuses_me) September 23, 2015
One God, One Religion, One Family, One Destiny.
#Hajj2015
#Arafah pic.twitter.com/dgMiPXPDLU
— Usman | قاضی (@TruthDefender55) September 23, 2015
اسئل الله بهذا اليوم الفضيل ان يمدكم الله ايمانا وقوه للدين والوطن
#شكرا #thank_you
#صعيد_عرفات
#Arafah #may_allah
- pic.twitter.com/p3gnqhJVwh
— باسم السبيعي (@bassem_96) September 23, 2015
Muslims unable to make the walk will also mark the day by fasting, believing by doing so they will also be pardoned for their past sins.
