Piligrims offer prayers of repentance on the sacred hill of Mount Arafat in Saudi ArabiaLast updated: May 26, 2026 | 11:362 MIN READMuslim pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), offering prayers during the pinnacle of the annual Hajj on Tuesday. Hundreds of thousands of worshippers from around the world raised their hands in prayer and repentance on the sacred hill, marking one of the most significant moments of the pilgrimage.AP1/8Arafat Day, observed around 70 days after the end of Ramadan, marks the second day of Hajj and is considered one of the holiest days in Islam. The occasion commemorates the day when a Quranic verse was revealed declaring the perfection of Islam and the completion of Allah’s blessings upon believers.AP2/8Muslim pilgrims gather at the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia,AP3/8Mount Arafat is the site where Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) gave his farewell sermon. Arafat day occurs the day before the start of Eid Al Adha. AP4/8On Arafat Day, pilgrims travel at dawn from Mina to Mount Arafat, located about 20km away just outside Mecca. They spend the day in prayer, reflection and worship on the sacred hill until the Maghrib prayers at sunset, marking the spiritual climax of the annual Hajj.AP5/8The annual Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious duty that every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it is expected to perform at least once in their lifetime. It is also regarded as one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.AP6/8After sunset prayers, pilgrims will make their way down Mount Arafat to Muzdalifah, another holy site where they will sleep under the stars to prepare for the final stage of Hajj, the symbolic "stoning of the devil".AP7/8Tens of thousands of police officers are out in force to protect the areas and control crowds. Above: A woman prays atop Mount Arafat.AP8/8Pilgrims stood shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet, for the emotional day of supplication at Mount Arafat.APAlso In This PackageDevadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 27 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct.