Today's Edition
MINA, SAUDI ARABIA (AGENCIES)
Pilgrims began arriving in Mina on Wednesday morning to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, Dhu Al-Hijjah 8, and stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday, prayers on Mount Arafat.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom's government provided extensive security, medical, food, and transportation services to ensure pilgrims' comfort and enable them to perform their rituals with ease and tranquillity.
State media reported that more than a million pilgrims had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday - prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon.
About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means.
On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf - walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day.
Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour.
Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality.
Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands.
Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates.
"I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time.
Artificial Intelligence
Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection.
Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres, thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last week.
Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds.
