Thousands pray at Mount Arafat during Hajj peak

Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on June 5 during the high point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day.

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MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia — Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on June 5 during the high point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day.

Thousands of pilgrims were beginning to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon.

While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Quran recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the Hajj.

After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and the sprawling tent city of Mina, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil".