Riyadh, June 15: More than 1.5 million Muslims will pray on Mount Arafat in soaring temperatures on Saturday, in the high-point and most grueling day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Worshippers from all over the world will climb the rocky, 70-metre (230-feet) hill, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon.
The desert summer heat is expected to hit 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit), creating challenges espe-cially among the elderly during a day of prayer and reciting the Koran.
The Hajj, which takes at least five days to complete and is mostly outdoors, “is not easy because it is very hot”, said Abraman Hawa, 26, from Ghana.
“We have sun… but it is not as hot. But I will pray to Allah at Arafat, because I need his support,” she added.
Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to drink plenty of water and protect themselves from the sun. Since men are prohibite. ( Agencies )
