On Arafat, pilgrims seek forgiveness

Braving heat and uneven terrain, they scale mountain with open arms to perform a key ritual

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Tens of thousands of pilgrims clambered up rocks and nestled between boulders yesterday as they embarked on a day of worship under a scorching sun at the Haj in Saudi Arabia.

Braving the heat and uneven surfaces, they scaled Mount Arafat to perform a key ritual of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

They opened their arms in prayer, smartphones and hearts raised, as outsized fans sprayed fine mists of water to cool them during their long hours of worship. Pilgrims must remain in Arafat until sunset. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.

Away from the worship, an ice cream kiosk nearby provided some relief.

Salem Naji Ahmad, from Yemen, travelled four days overland to neighbouring Saudi Arabia because he couldn't afford the flight.

Sacred feelings