Local Editor

Vast crowds of Muslim pilgrims, all dressed in white, flocked from early Thursday to Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia's west to take part in the main rituals of the annual hajj.
More than 2 million Hajj pilgrims will perform Wuquf-e-Arafat (Stay at Mount Arafat) Thursday.
This came as the pilgrims stayed overnight in Mina. At dawn, they have started their journey to the Mount.
 
Many pilgrims had camped overnight in the sprawling plain surrounding Mount Arafat but the majority began arriving at dawn. There, around 14 kilometers southeast of Mina, the pilgrims spend the day in prayer and reflection.
The pilgrims immerse themselves in the eulogy of Allah, while chanting "Labayka Alla-huma Labayka" which means "I have answered your call oh Allah."

Men, women, and children from 189 countries streamed to the site, some setting up small colorful tents in which they slept and prayed.
After sunset, the pilgrims head to Muzdalifah, between Mina and Arafat, where they collect stones to throw at the devil, one of the last rituals which takes place Friday and marks the first day of Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice.

The symbolic "stoning of the devil" is followed by the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a lamb.
During the remaining three days of the hajj, the pilgrims continue the stoning ritual before performing the circumambulation of the Kaaba shrine in Mecca and heading home.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org