At dawn this Monday, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1439 AH, caravans of pilgrims to the Sacred House of God began making their way to the sacred plain of Arafat, filled with a spirit of faith imbued with reverence and serenity, and protected by Divine care, they walked in supplication, imploring Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, to bestow upon them forgiveness, mercy, and deliverance from the Fire.

Accompanying the caravans of the guests of the Most Merciful to the sacred plain of Arafat was a live security operation carried out by personnel from various security sectors, who surrounded the vehicle roads and pedestrian paths to organize the pilgrims according to plans for the phased deployment and grouping of the pilgrims, in addition to guiding them and ensuring thethey needed.

Along the roads leading to Arafat, traffic officers were deployed, supported by security personnel and scouts, doing their utmost to ensure the smooth and flexible flow of traffic.

With full readiness on the part of the various government sectors serving the pilgrims, medical, emergency, and food services—as well as everything else needed by the guests of the Most Merciful, who have traveled great distances and endured hardships from all corners of the globe to perform the fifth pillar of theIslam, giving thanks to the Almighty for guiding them to this path.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of the Makkah Region, and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, oversaw the pilgrims’ ascent to the holy site of Arafat, directing that the best services be provided so that the guests of the Most Merciful may perform their rituals in safety and peace of mind.

The Saudi Press Agency monitored the movement of pilgrims from Mina to Arafat at the Holy Sites, where traffic flowed smoothly during the pilgrims’ ascent to Arafat

In a majestic scene, as the pilgrims sought the mercy of their Lord and His pleasure on this blessed day—the best day on which the sun has ever risen—they stood on the pure plain of Arafat, where the entire area is a gathering place except for the Valley of Arna... As narrated by Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said “There is no day better in the sight of Allah than the Day of Arafat. Allah, Blessed and Exalted, descends to the lowest heaven and boasts to the inhabitants of heaven about the people of the earth, saying, ‘Look at My servants; they have come to Me disheveled, dusty, and prostrating. They have come from every deep valley, hoping for My mercy, and they have not seen aslaughtered animal. No day brings more freedom from the Fire than the Day of Arafat.)

And as the sun sets on this day, the crowds of pilgrims begin their journey to Muzdalifah, where they pray the Maghrib and Isha prayers and remain there until dawn on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, for spending the night in Muzdalifah is obligatory, as the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, spent the night there, and performed the Fajr prayer there.