Muslims gather on Mount Arad

Muslim pilgrims flocked to Mount Araft in southeast Mecca. Arafat's day is considered most important during the pilgrimage to Hy, where believers spend most of their time praying.

This is where Muslims believe that the prophet Muhammad conveyed the final sermon.

I feel very happy, very happy if God accepts the prayers of all Muslims,” says the pilgrim from the Philippines, Nadzmi Mariu.

The Haj pilgrim begins in the 12th month of Islamic year, which is lunar and not solar.

Let the prophet's peace be upon him. Hagi is Arad. This is the greatest day of the year for Muslims and the most important ritual of Hagi. I ask God to guide all Muslims,” says another believer Abdul Hafith.

Haj must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by all Muslim believers able to afford the expensive and difficult journey.