Muslims from around the world have converged on a sacred hill near Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the holiest day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the hill of mercy, is often the most memorable for pilgrims, who stand shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet, asking God for mercy, blessings, prosperity and good health. …
ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia — They came in the dark of night, in the thousands, to clamber up the rocky hill called Mount Arafat. Arafat is mentioned in the Quran and it is where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have given his last sermon on his final Hajj. “The Hajj is Arafat,” he said, repeating one of the prophet’s sayings …
