A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Friday, October 3, 2014

Standing at ‘Arafat

Mount ‘Arafat
Today is the 9th of Dhu'-l-Hijja, the day of the hajj when the pilgrims assemble at the foot of Mount ‘Arafat east of Mecca, and stand in the plain for the afternoon, commemorating the Prophet Muhammad's "Farewell Sermon," given on the mountain during his final pilgrimage to Mecca. As the pilgrims return toward Mecca at sundown there are still several ceremonies remaining. The next day, 10th of Dhu'l-Hijja is the day of the traditional animal sacrifice, marked around the world by the Feast of sacrifice, known as the ‘Id al-‘Adha in Arabic and as Kurban Bairam or other names in other Muslim countries.

Wikipedia diagram of hajj sites
So far this year's hajj seems relatively free of problems despite heightened concerns over security and also over communicable disease concerns ranging from MERS to Ebola.

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