Every year, millions of Muslims from every corner of the world gather in the sacred city of Makkah to perform Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. At one level, Hajj is a pilgrimage — a sacred obligation performed through rites established by Prophet Abraham (AS) and restored by Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). But at a deeper level, Hajj is far more than ritual movement, ceremonial devotion, or historical remembrance.

Millions of Muslims Gather at Arafat Ahead of Eid al-Adha Ebadullah.Ebadi Tue, 05/26/2026 - 21:02 Author Mitra Majeedy Profile Photo Author Job Journalist Afghanistan Today (Tuesday, the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah), millions of Muslims from around the world have turned their eyes toward the land of Arafat, where the sound of prayers and supplications has filled the atmosphere of Mecca. In the plain of Arafat, more than 1.5 million pilgrims have gathered to perform the most important pillar of Hajj — a day Muslims regard as a day of forgiveness, mercy, and closeness to God. Basma Abdulrahim, a Hajj pilgrim, said: “This is a feeling I can hardly describe; the feeling that God has given us the opportunity to reach this place — the place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once stood.