- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Haj pilgrims visit al Noor mountain
- Date: 2nd October 2014
- Summary: MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (SEPTEMBER 30, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SUN RISING VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS GOING UP AL-NOOR MOUNTAIN FEMALE PILGRIM TAKING PHOTO OF HIRA CAVE AT THE TOP OF AL-NOOR MOUNTAIN VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WAITING TO ENTER HIRA CAVE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI PILGRIM, ODAI, SAYING: "How difficult is it going up? Now to reach this place it's much easier. There are cars to cover a quarter of the distance, then you continue walking and there are steps. How did the Prophet arrive here in those days (in the past)?" ODAI ENTERING HIRA CAVE WITH PILGRIMS PILGRIM TAKING PHOTO PILGRIM CALLING TO GOD WHILE IN HIRA CAVE VARIOUS OF WRITING ON ENTRANCE TO HIRA CAVE READING (Arabic): "AL-NOOR MOUNTAIN - HIRA CAVE" PILGRIM CALLING TO GOD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI PILIGRIM, ODAI, SAYING: "We come to Al-Noor mountain to see Hira cave, the place where the prophet was visited by the Angel Gabriel, and where the Koran was revealed. The prophet Mohammed was worshipping God here." VARIOUS OF PILGRIM CALLING TO GOD PILGRIM TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF MECCA FROM TOP OF AL-NOOR MOUNTAIN VARIOUS OF CLOCK TOWER
- Embargoed: 17th October 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA7BY0CO9DNI2Z4XSRD0I80PNR
- Story Text: As the estimated 3 million pilgrims begin arriving in Saudi Arabia for the annual haj pilgrimage, many of them are taking time out to visit historic Islamic sites.
On al-Noor mountain, also known as the Mountain of Light, which stands over Mecca, is Hira cave, a place Muslims believe prophet Mohammed used to go to seek refuge.
It's in the cave where Muslims believe the prophet was visited by the Angel Gabriel, and where the Koranic revelations began to take place.
Despite the long walk up narrow steps, pilgrims young and old make the journey to the cave to follow in prophet Mohammed's footsteps.
For Odai, an Iraqi visitor, the journey for today's pilgrims is much easier than the one faced by Mohammed.
"Now to reach this place it's much easier," he said. "There are cars to cover a quarter of the distance, then you continue walking and there are steps."
"We come to Al-Noor mountain to see Hira cave, the place where the prophet was visited by the Angel Gabriel, and where the Koran was revealed. The prophet Mohammed was worshipping God here," Odai added.
Mohammed's revelation is believed to have happened during the holy month of Ramadan, on a night known in the Koran as the Night of Power.
Thousands of Muslim faithful are also expected to make the journey to the Mt Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or the Mountain of Mercy.
Saudi authorities estimate more than three million people will travel to the Kingdom for the haj pilgrimage this year.
The event itself is recognized as one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
