Muslim pilgrims rest on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat, outside the holy city of Mecca. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: Reuters
Muslim pilgrims rest on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat, outside the holy city of Mecca. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: Reuters
Muslim pilgrims climb a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat, outside the holy city of Mecca. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: Reuters
Muslim pilgrims climb a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Water is sprayed over Muslim pilgrims as they pray outside Namira mosque in Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims pray outside Namira mosque in Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Muslim pilgrims rest as others pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat, outside the holy city of Mecca. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca to retrace the route taken by Prophet Mohammad 14 centuries ago. Photo: AP
Published Nov 15, 2010
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Nearly 3 million Muslims performing the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia climbed the rocky desert Mount Arafat on Monday, chanting that they have come to answer God's call. The white-robed pilgrims began their ascent at dawn, covering the Mountain of Mercy at Arafat in an endless sea of white as their chants of "Labyek Allah" - or "Here I am, God, answering your calling" - reverberated.
The climb is one of the cornerstones of the pilgrimage, which is required from every able-bodied Muslim at least once in his life. It is the site where Islam's Prophet Muhammad delivered his farewell sermon, and Muslims believe on this day the doors of heaven open to answer prayers and grant forgiveness.
