Holy Sites, Saudi Arabia, Asharq Al-Awsat – Muslims all over the world began celebrating the first day of Eid Al Adha, Monday. In Saudi Arabia, Muslims performed the Eid Al Adha Prayer marking the beginning of Islamic festivities and rituals to be conducted over the next three days.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, observed the services and facilities provided by his government for the Hajj pilgrims, to ensure they are able to perform the Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.
The pilgrims, who number more than 2.5 million, had spent most of Sunday standing on the Arafat mountainside contemplating and praying to God. They prayed the Dhuhr [noon] and Asr [afternoon] prayers combined, and listened to the Arafat sermon delivered at the Nimra Mosque by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al Sheikh. The Governor of Mecca, Prince Khaled Al Faisal Bin Abdulaziz was also present.
Hajj pilgrims will perform the symbolic ritual of the stoning of the devil today in Mina.
The Eid Al Adha prayer was performed in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, and throughout the Kingdom. In Mecca, the prayer was led by Sheikh Salih Al-Taleb, while in Medina it was led by Sheikh Ali Al-Huthaifi, and was attended by the Governor of Medina, Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Majid. In the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the prayer was led by Sheikh Abdulmohsin Ibrahim Al Sheikh, and was attended by Imam Turki Bin Abdullah in the Grand Mosque of Riyadh.
The authorities have completed preparations to receive the pilgrims who will perform the stoning of the devil ritual today, and made preparations for those who wish to spend the night in Mina to perform the same ceremony over the next few days.
There were no significant incidents during the transportation of pilgrims from Mina to Arafat and from Arafat to Muzdalifah.