Saudi Arabia Hajj: Millions at Mount Arafat for ceremonies Published duration 11 September 2016 Related Topics Hajj

image copyright AFP image caption Pilgrims gathered from dawn on Sunday in advance of the most significant part of their pilgrimage

The annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has reached its climax with 1.5 million Muslims gathering at Mount Arafat to offer day-long prayers and recitations from the Koran.

The pilgrims congregated from sunrise at the site and the vast plain which surrounds it, about 15km from Mecca.

Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon at the location.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, which all Muslims are called upon to perform at least once.

On Saturday it emerged that Saudi Arabia's top cleric, Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, would not deliver the traditional Hajj sermon for the first time in 35 years because of health complications.

image copyright AP image caption The pilgrims congregated from sunrise at the site and the vast plain which surrounds it, about 15km (10 miles) from Mecca

image copyright AP image caption Male pilgrims wear a seamless two-piece white garment, called an ihram, symbolising a state of purity and unity regardless of social status

image copyright AP image caption Muslims from around the world have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the five-day pilgrimage that Islam enjoins all believers to complete at least once in their lifetime, providing they are fit and able

image copyright AP image caption Indonesians - like this father and child - comprise the largest quota of pilgrims. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation

image copyright AP image caption Pilgrims signed their names where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his last sermon

It follows controversy sparked by his remarks that Iranians were "not Muslims"

The comments came after Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced Saudi Arabia's management of the Hajj.

Iran has boycotted this year's pilgrimage., instead endorsing an alternative event on Saturday at the holy city of Karbala in Iraq.

Tensions between the two countries have risen after a crush in last year's pilgrimage killed at least 2,426 people, including 464 Iranians, according to an unofficial count.

Saudi Arabia and Iran do not have diplomatic relations and are at loggerheads over a series of regional issues including the conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

image copyright AFP image caption Pilgrims sat, stood, or climbed up steps constructed into the hill while reciting incantations

image copyright AP image caption Volunteers distributed umbrellas to pilgrims early on Sunday morning to protect them from temperatures expected to reach up to 40C

image copyright AP

image copyright EPA

image copyright EPA image caption About 1.5 million Muslims are making the same journey as the Prophet Muhammad did about 1,400 years ago

image copyright AP image caption These Sudanese women are praying on a rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy

But news of the Ayatollah's absence has not diminished the enthusiasm of the pilgrims.

"It's marvellous," Egyptian pilgrim Louza, 45, was quoted as saying. "I'm here closer to God. It's an indescribable feeling."

Against a backdrop of other mountains the pilgrims squatted, stood, or climbed up steps constructed into the hill while reciting incantations.

"We feel at ease and are totally benefiting from our pilgrimage," Soumaya, 30, from Mali, told the AFP news agency. Her friend, Khadija Bechir, 23. agreed, praising the event for being well organised.

Pilgrims come from all over the world to the Hajj but Indonesia - the most populous Muslim nation - has the largest quota.

image copyright AFP image caption For many Muslims the Hajj is the spiritual experience of a lifetime

image copyright EPA image caption Iran has boycotted this year's pilgrimage, endorsing an alternative event on Saturday at the holy city of Karbala in Iraq

Official figures issued late on Saturday revealed that more than 1.3 million pilgrims attending the Hajj are from outside Saudi Arabia.

A vast expanse of white fireproof tents has been pitched at Mina, to accommodate in excess of 2.5 million pilgrims.

The stampede in Mina last September is considered to be the worst disaster in Hajj history. It took place as pilgrims were going to the Jamarat Bridge for a stoning ritual which this this year will start on Monday, officials say.