Main Hajj formalities begin today, lakhs of pilgrims engaged in worship

Today, Tuesday, is the most important day of the holy Hajj. The holy Arafat plain has become filled with the sound of 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik...'. Lakhs of devout Muslims from different parts of the world have gathered together in the hope of self-purification, seeking forgiveness and attaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty.

Since dawn, the vast plain of Arafat has turned into a sea of ​​white Ihram. The presence of lakhs of pilgrims dressed in white clothes has created a unique spiritual atmosphere. More than two million pilgrims from different countries of the world have participated this year in performing Hajj, one of the main pillars of Islam. Out of these, more than 78,000 pilgrims have come from Bangladesh.

This day of 9 Zil-Hijjah is considered the main day of Hajj. The pilgrims will spend time in prayer, remembrance, recitation of the Quran and worship at the Arafat plain until sunset. At the same time, they will listen to the Hajj sermon and offer Zuhr and Asr prayers together.

This time, the holy Hajj sermon will be delivered at the Mosque of Namira by Sheikh Ali bin Abdur Rahman Al-Huzaifi, Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.

After sunset, the pilgrims will leave for Muzdalifah. There, they will offer Maghrib and Isha prayers together and spend the night. At the same time, they will collect the necessary pebbles to throw at the Jamarat in Mina.

The next day, on 10th Zilhaj, the pilgrims have to go to Mina to complete some important rituals. These include symbolically throwing stones at the devil, sacrificing an animal, shaving their heads, and performing Tawaf-e-Ziarat.

According to Islamic history, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was tested by Allah (SWT) to sacrifice his most beloved thing. At that time, when Satan tried to mislead him, he symbolically threw stones. In memory of that event, pilgrims threw stones at the Jamarat in Mina.

In the last stage of Hajj, the formalities of the holy Hajj are completed with the farewell Tawaf. Apart from the locals, pilgrims from other countries conclude the Hajj by circumambulating the Kaaba Sharif.

Meanwhile, maximum security measures have been taken across Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. More than 100,000 security personnel have been deployed in Mecca, Medina, Mina, Arafat and surrounding areas.

The intense heat has also become a major challenge in this year's Hajj management. The temperature in Saudi Arabia has exceeded 42 degrees Celsius. More than 40 government agencies and more than 250,000 officials are working to deal with the situation. Drone surveillance and data analysis systems have also been added using modern technology so that pilgrims can perform religious rituals safely and comfortably.