What are the steps of Hajj?
1/ Preparation and Intention
2/ Enter state of Ihram
3/ Tawaf x7
4/ Safa and Marwa
5/ Clip/Shave Hair (Umrah ends)
6/ Resting and Praying
7/ Enter state of Ihram
8/ Arrive at Mina
9/ Day of Arafah
10/ Muzdalifah (under the night sky)
11/ Rami (stoning of the devil)
12/ Qurbani
13/ Shave Head
14/ Tawaf al-Ifadha
15/ Rami (stoning of the devil)
16/ Spend night at Mina
17/ Rami (stoning of the devil)
18/ Farewell Tawaf al-Wida
By MMNN | June 6, 2025
Mount Arafat, Saudi Arabia — In the most spiritually significant moment of the annual Haj pilgrimage, over a million Muslim pilgrims gathered Thursday on the plains of Arafat, a sacred site where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his final sermon.
As the sun rose over Mount Arafat, thousands of white-clad worshippers began streaming into the area well before dawn, seeking the blessings of what is considered the climax of the five-day Haj. Pilgrims spent the day in deep prayer, reflection, and Qur’an recitations, enduring intense heat while following in the footsteps of generations of Muslims before them.
Saudi authorities, mindful of last year’s tragic toll when over 1,300 pilgrims reportedly died amid extreme heat, issued urgent advisories encouraging pilgrims to remain in shaded areas or tents between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when temperatures often exceed 40°C. Last year’s peak reached a sweltering 51.8°C.
“I’ve watched this moment on TV for years and dreamed of coming,” said Ali, a 33-year-old pilgrim from Pakistan. “After trying for three years, I feel incredibly blessed to be here.”
Massive Logistics and Heat Mitigation Efforts
To address heat-related risks, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has mobilized over 250,000 officials from more than 40 government agencies. New measures include expanding shaded zones by 50,000 square meters, deploying 400+ cooling units, and increasing the number of on-site medical personnel.
Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah confirmed that preventing a repeat of last year’s deaths, most of which involved undocumented pilgrims without access to cooling or shelter, remains a top priority. This year, enhanced enforcement measures — including drone surveillance, increased checkpoints, and mobile alerts — are being used to deter unregistered pilgrims.
After sunset, pilgrims are expected to travel to Muzdalifah, where they will collect pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual in Mina, another sacred site in the Haj sequence.
Security, Quotas, and Accessibility
The Haj, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings, operates under a strict quota and lottery system managed by each participating country. Despite warnings, some pilgrims attempt to attend without permits, often due to high costs or bureaucratic obstacles. However, Saudi authorities have issued strong warnings that unregistered pilgrims could face arrest or deportation.
Tragically, Haj gatherings have seen deadly incidents in the past. The 2015 Mina stampede remains the deadliest on record, with up to 2,300 fatalities.
Economic and Religious Significance
Beyond its spiritual importance, the Haj is a critical economic driver for Saudi Arabia, generating billions annually from both Haj and Umrah pilgrimages. The Kingdom has heavily invested in infrastructure and digital technologies to manage pilgrim safety, crowd control, and transport logistics.
With global attention on Saudi Arabia’s handling of this year’s pilgrimage, officials emphasize that safeguarding human life is paramount. “Our mission is to ensure every pilgrim fulfills their religious duty in peace, health, and safety,” the Haj Ministry stated.
— MMNN News Desk, with sources from AFP and official Saudi media
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