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Millions of Muslims on Annual Hajj Pilgrimage

   VOA News 14 November 2010
   Thousands  of  tents  housing  Muslim pilgrims are crowded together in
   Mina near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 14 Nov 2010.

Photo: AP

   Thousands  of  tents  housing  Muslim pilgrims are crowded together in
   Mina  near  Mecca,  Saudi  Arabia,  14  Nov  2010.  The annual Islamic
   pilgrimage draws 2.5 million visitors each year, making it the largest
   yearly gathering of people in the world.

   Muslims  from  all over the world are gathering Sunday in Saudi Arabia
   for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

   More  than two million pilgrims will gather at Mount Arafat Monday for
   the high point of the pilgrimage.

   Crowds  of  white-robed hajjis will arrive early in the morning on the
   mountain east of the holy city of Mecca. The site is where the Prophet
   Muhammad gave his last sermon.

   Following  prayers  at  Mount Arafat, the pilgrims will cast stones at
   walls in Mina in a symbolic renunciation of the devil - one of the key
   events in the next several days.

   The  pilgrimage  ends  with  the  start  of the Muslim festival of Eid
   al-Adha,  or  "feast  of  the  sacrifice,"  when a sheep is dacrificed
   following the tradition of the Prophet Abraham.

   The  pilgrimage  is  one of Islam's five obligations. Every Muslim, if
   capable, must perform it at least once during his or her lifetime.

   Many  Muslims  believe  that their journey to Mecca and the pilgrimage
   will absolve them of their sins, and that they will return home with a
   fresh slate.

   For  the  first time, a new train will transport pilgrims between Mina
   and Mount Arafat to minimize the risk of overcrowding this year.

   Three  years  ago,  more  than 300 pilgrims were crushed to death in a
   stampede during the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual.

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