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More Than 2 Million Muslim Pilgrims Reach Hajj High Point

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO, EGYPT - Over 2 million pilgrims are climbing Mount Arafat in
   Saudi Arabia Saturday at the high point of the annual pilgrimage to
   Mecca. Rain, thunder and strong wind disrupted the ritual, but most
   pilgrims appear to have weathered the ordeal.

   Rituals on Mount Arafat, where Islam's Prophet Muhammad was reputed to
   have delivered his final sermon almost 1,400 years ago, is part of the
   final leg of the annual hajj.

   Sheikh Mohammed bin-Hassan al-Sheikh delivered the ritual sermon at the
   Numeira Mosque on Mount Arafat, telling the crowd gathered both inside
   and outside the building that mercy is the single most important
   attribute in life.

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