Mount Arafat, Saudi Arabia — More than 2 million Muslims are gathered at the sacred hill of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for an intense day of worship and reflection on what's considered the climax of the Islamic hajj pilgrimage.
Some had tears streaming down their faces as the men, wearing simple white garments, and women raised their hands in worship on the slopes of the rocky hill.
Many walked through the pre-dawn darkness early Saturday to the hill where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon some 1,400 years ago, calling for equality and unity among Muslims.
One of the largest religious gatherings on earth, the second day of the hajj is often the most memorable for pilgrims.
They stand shoulder to shoulder with Muslims from around the world seeking God's mercy and blessings.
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual hajj pilgrimage ahead of sunrise near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Picture: Amr Nabil/AP
Muslim pilgrims take a nap on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual hajj pilgrimage. More than 2 million pilgrims were gathered to perform initial rites of the hajj, an Islamic pilgrimage that takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1 400 years ago. Picture: Amr Nabil/AP
Pilgrims walk outside Namira Mosque in Arafat, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Picture: Amr Nabil/AP
Muslim pilgrims make their way up on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy ahead of sunrise near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Picture: Amr Nabil/AP
Muslim pilgrims offer dawn prayers on the Plain of Arafat. Picture: Amr Nabil/AP
Algerian pilgrims march towards the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat. Picture: Amr Nabil/AP