Mount Arafat, Mecca

Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Arafat, is a granite hill located in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It stands about 70 meters high and is a significant site for Islamic pilgrims during the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage that is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims. The Day of Arafat, the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage, involves pilgrims gathering on the plain of Arafat to pray and repent, which takes place on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

The significance of Mount Arafat comes from Islamic tradition, which holds that the Prophet Muhammad delivered his Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life. This event is commemorated at the site by the Masjid al-Namirah, a mosque that marks the location where Muhammad is said to have prayed.

For many Muslims, standing on Arafat in supplication is considered the most important part of the Hajj, as it is said that on this day, the mercy and forgiveness of God are closest. Pilgrims spend the day on Mount Arafat in deep prayer and reflection from dawn until dusk.

The mountain itself is not particularly tall or striking in terms of natural beauty, but its religious significance has made it one of the most revered locations in the Islamic world. As part of the Hajj, millions of pilgrims clad in simple white garments symbolizing purity and equality before God ascend the mountain and its surrounding plain, seeking spiritual renewal and closeness to the divine.