Dawn TV correspondent Shehzada Alamgir reports from Saudi Arabia
Mecca: The Hajj rituals have begun and millions of pilgrims from all over the world have set off for Arafat after staying in Mina. The Saudi Arabian government has made great arrangements. Water and juice are available in ample quantities in tents. The pilgrims offered Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers during their stay in Mina. On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims started reaching Arafat, where the most important pillar of Hajj, Wuquf Arafa, will be performed. On that day, after listening to the Hajj sermon, the pilgrims will shorten the Zuhr and Asr prayers combine them and offer them at the same time. The pilgrims will stay in Arafat until sunset.
After the call to prayer at Maghrib, all pilgrims will leave the plain of Arafat for Muzdalifah, where they will offer Maghrib and Isha prayers together and spend the night under the open sky. On the same night, pebbles will be collected for throwing stones in Muzdalifah. On 10 Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims will return from Muzdalifah to Mina and first of all, they will throw stones at Jamarat al-Aqaba (the Great Satan), after which the obligation of sacrifice will be performed, then the pilgrims will get their hair shaved or shortened and take off their Ihram.
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