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In line with the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, the pilgrims moved early Saturday to Mina. They spend there the day and night hours prior to moving to 'Arafat early Sunday morning.
Today, the eighth of the lunar month of Thul-Hijjah is called the Tarwiyah (watering) day, because in the ancient times the pilgrims used to fill their water skins on this day in preparation to ascendance to 'Arafat in the next day.
Draped in white robes to symbolize purity and the equality of mankind under God, nearly 3 million Muslims from all over the world gathered Friday in Mecca, on the eve of the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage.
The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which all Muslims must carry out at least once in their lives, if they are able to do so.
The hajj is packed with symbolism and ritual aimed at cleansing the soul of sins. Every able-bodied Muslim who can financially afford to must perform it at least once in his or her lifetime.
It began early on Saturday as pilgrims arrived on foot or by bus in Mina, a valley 10 kilometers (six miles) from the holy city of Mecca.
Saudi Arabia has deployed some 100,000 security personnel to keep order during the five-day pilgrimage, which started Saturday.
Ambulances and medical centers have been readied to deal with emergencies. Stampedes or fires at past pilgrimages have killed hundreds.
The hajj culminates Sunday, when the pilgrims gather on Mount 'Arafat, 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Mecca in the desert, where the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, gave his last sermon 14 centuries ago. At 'Arafat, pilgrims offer prayers from noon to shortly after nightfall in a ritual that's interpreted as a foretaste of the Day of Judgment, when every person will stand before God and answer for his deeds.
Pilgrims' time at the summit symbolizes the wait for the last judgment and is the high point of the hajj.
Next, the pilgrims return to Mina to sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son on God's orders. This marks the start of the 'Eed al-Adh-ha, the feast of the sacrifice.
They will spend another two days in Mina for the final rite -- the stoning of Satan.
It is the most hazardous of the rituals. The pillars were enlarged a few years ago into 25-metre (80-foot) high concrete blocks. Bridges have been built at three levels at the site to help prevent a recurrence of fatal stampedes.
The hajj will continue for several more days, as pilgrims carry out a ritual symbolizing the stoning of the devil at the nearby plain of Mina, before concluding on Wednesday.
Just 50 years ago, the pilgrimage attracted only about 10,000 people. This year, Saudi embassies world over have issued nearly 2 million visas. Just under a million pilgrims also come to the hajj from Saudi Arabia. Many others are believed to come without proper documents.
The rituals are also meant to remind the believer that all humanity is equal and that while we may be divided through race, class or circumstance in this world, we will all face our Creator in the hereafter.
It is only day two but these ideals and manifestations have become overwhelmingly apparent in Mecca.
Kiswa of Ka'bah changed
The kiswa (dress) of the Holy Ka'bah will be changed on Sunday, the 9th of Thul-Hijjah under the supervision of the general presidency for the affairs of the Holy Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque, SPa reported.
The kiswa is made of pure silk and gold. It is prepared at the factory of kiswa in Makkah.
The total cost of the kiswa amounts to SR 20 million. The kiswa has a height of 14 meter and length of 47 meter.
The kiswa is decorated with verses of the Noble Qur'an.
PHOTO CAPTION
Pilgrims head to 'Arafat from Mina near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
Agencies
