Arafat (UNA/SPA) – Arafat is one of the most important sacred sites and the most prominent stations of Hajj. In fact, it is the greatest pillar without which Hajj is not valid, as stated in the hadith of the Messenger of Allah - may God bless him and grant him peace - “Hajj is Arafat.” Pilgrims will stand there on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, in a majestic scene of faith, in which the Guests of the Most Merciful unite their feelings and hearts, devoted to God Almighty.
The site is located at a distance of about (18) km2 from the Grand Mosque, (10) km2 from the site of Mina, and (6) km2 from the site of Muzdalifah. The length and width of the site of Arafat are approximately two miles. It is a flat plain surrounded by a chain of mountains in the shape of an arc. It is characterized by its tranquility and spirituality, which distinguishes it from other sites, as there is no permanent residence or overnight stay in it. The time for standing in it is from after sunset on the ninth day until dawn on the tenth day.
The plain of Arafat holds great religious symbolism, as it was there that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stood during the Farewell Pilgrimage and delivered his famous sermon in which he established the fundamental principles of human rights. He also declared the completion of the religion with the words of God Almighty: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” This makes this plain a place of faith and legislation in the Islamic conscience.
The Day of Arafah is the most significant manifestation of equality and the elimination of differences among people. Everyone is equal in dress, supplication, and prayer, and they turn to God Almighty in a unified stance where hands are raised and tears are shed, hoping for forgiveness, mercy, and pardon.
For centuries, the Arafat site has witnessed the gathering of pilgrims under varying conditions and services. Temporary tents were set up and pilgrims used traditional means of transportation to reach the site, making hardship an integral part of the spiritual journey. Recent decades have witnessed an unprecedented developmental shift.
Arafat has received special attention among the major projects being implemented by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister - may God protect them - as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality of services provided to the Guests of God.
“Kidana” aimed to shade and develop (85) thousand square meters of the Namirah Mosque courtyard and shade it with (320) umbrellas and (350) spray columns, and plant trees in the area, which contributes to enriching the experience of the Guests of God. It also designated an area of (60) thousand square meters to shade and cool the paths in the Arafat area, and provide them with spray fans to reduce the effect of direct sunlight.
Arafat Square is witnessing a heavy field presence from government agencies across the security, medical, and municipal sectors. Jabal al-Rahmah Hospital is operating, along with a number of health centers and first aid stations spread throughout the holy site, to receive emergency cases and provide immediate care.
The site was also supported by electronic systems for crowd control and movement monitoring, in addition to distributing awareness and guidance teams, and providing simultaneous translation in (34) languages for the Arafat sermon, in addition to employing smart applications that help the pilgrim determine his location and know the times of grouping and moving.
Mount Arafat is located in the middle of the plain, and is considered a prominent landmark with special symbolism. It is mentioned in the hadiths that it is the place where the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stood. It is known by several names, including: Mount of Supplication, because many Muslim pilgrims prayed there on that great day, and Mount of Standing, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood in this place during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
The Namirah Mosque is also one of the most prominent Islamic landmarks in the Arafat area, as it accommodates more than (350) thousand worshippers on the Day of Arafat to perform the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, combined and shortened. The mosque extends over an area of (110) thousand square meters, and includes (6) minarets, each with a height of (60) meters, (3) domes, and (10) main entrances containing (64) doors.
The mosque includes (610) window air conditioners, (59) Fresh Air units, (185) misting fans in its courtyards, in addition to (10) thousand square meters of its area, (37) internal cameras, and (35) external cameras for surveillance, while it includes (700) restrooms for men, and (300) restrooms for women, and more than (176) technicians and workers work in it during the peak of the Hajj season.
The mosque has witnessed the implementation of a number of development projects in recent years, most notably the project to prepare and beautify the backyard at a cost exceeding (3) million riyals, and the pilgrims’ water supply project at a cost exceeding (2.2) million riyals.
Every year, Arafat embodies a unique vision of the unity of the Islamic nation, a spatial identity of deep sanctity, where the greater objectives of Hajj are revealed and where the Kingdom and its leadership's pledge to serve Islam and Muslims is renewed, harnessing all their potential and capabilities to serve the Guests of God.
The site is located at a distance of about (18) km2 from the Grand Mosque, (10) km2 from the site of Mina, and (6) km2 from the site of Muzdalifah. The length and width of the site of Arafat are approximately two miles. It is a flat plain surrounded by a chain of mountains in the shape of an arc. It is characterized by its tranquility and spirituality, which distinguishes it from other sites, as there is no permanent residence or overnight stay in it. The time for standing in it is from after sunset on the ninth day until dawn on the tenth day.
The plain of Arafat holds great religious symbolism, as it was there that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stood during the Farewell Pilgrimage and delivered his famous sermon in which he established the fundamental principles of human rights. He also declared the completion of the religion with the words of God Almighty: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” This makes this plain a place of faith and legislation in the Islamic conscience.
The Day of Arafah is the most significant manifestation of equality and the elimination of differences among people. Everyone is equal in dress, supplication, and prayer, and they turn to God Almighty in a unified stance where hands are raised and tears are shed, hoping for forgiveness, mercy, and pardon.
For centuries, the Arafat site has witnessed the gathering of pilgrims under varying conditions and services. Temporary tents were set up and pilgrims used traditional means of transportation to reach the site, making hardship an integral part of the spiritual journey. Recent decades have witnessed an unprecedented developmental shift.
Arafat has received special attention among the major projects being implemented by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister - may God protect them - as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality of services provided to the Guests of God.
“Kidana” aimed to shade and develop (85) thousand square meters of the Namirah Mosque courtyard and shade it with (320) umbrellas and (350) spray columns, and plant trees in the area, which contributes to enriching the experience of the Guests of God. It also designated an area of (60) thousand square meters to shade and cool the paths in the Arafat area, and provide them with spray fans to reduce the effect of direct sunlight.
Arafat Square is witnessing a heavy field presence from government agencies across the security, medical, and municipal sectors. Jabal al-Rahmah Hospital is operating, along with a number of health centers and first aid stations spread throughout the holy site, to receive emergency cases and provide immediate care.
The site was also supported by electronic systems for crowd control and movement monitoring, in addition to distributing awareness and guidance teams, and providing simultaneous translation in (34) languages for the Arafat sermon, in addition to employing smart applications that help the pilgrim determine his location and know the times of grouping and moving.
Mount Arafat is located in the middle of the plain, and is considered a prominent landmark with special symbolism. It is mentioned in the hadiths that it is the place where the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stood. It is known by several names, including: Mount of Supplication, because many Muslim pilgrims prayed there on that great day, and Mount of Standing, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood in this place during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
The Namirah Mosque is also one of the most prominent Islamic landmarks in the Arafat area, as it accommodates more than (350) thousand worshippers on the Day of Arafat to perform the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, combined and shortened. The mosque extends over an area of (110) thousand square meters, and includes (6) minarets, each with a height of (60) meters, (3) domes, and (10) main entrances containing (64) doors.
The mosque includes (610) window air conditioners, (59) Fresh Air units, (185) misting fans in its courtyards, in addition to (10) thousand square meters of its area, (37) internal cameras, and (35) external cameras for surveillance, while it includes (700) restrooms for men, and (300) restrooms for women, and more than (176) technicians and workers work in it during the peak of the Hajj season.
The mosque has witnessed the implementation of a number of development projects in recent years, most notably the project to prepare and beautify the backyard at a cost exceeding (3) million riyals, and the pilgrims’ water supply project at a cost exceeding (2.2) million riyals.
Every year, Arafat embodies a unique vision of the unity of the Islamic nation, a spatial identity of deep sanctity, where the greater objectives of Hajj are revealed and where the Kingdom and its leadership's pledge to serve Islam and Muslims is renewed, harnessing all their potential and capabilities to serve the Guests of God.
(is over)
