SAUDI ARABIA: PILGRIMS START ASCENT TOWARDS MOUNT ARAFAT AS HAJ CLIMAX APPROACHES.
Record ID:
189743
SAUDI ARABIA: PILGRIMS START ASCENT TOWARDS MOUNT ARAFAT AS HAJ CLIMAX APPROACHES.
- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: PILGRIMS START ASCENT TOWARDS MOUNT ARAFAT AS HAJ CLIMAX APPROACHES.
- Date: 11th February 2003
- Summary: (U4) MOUNT ARAFAT, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 10, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. GV: PILGRIMS IN MOUNT ARAFAT AREA AT DAWN 0.06 2. TV/GV: PILGRIMS DURING ASCEND TO MOUNT OF MERCY (2 SHOTS) 0.18 3. GV/MV: VARIOUS PILGRIMS READING KORAN HOLY BOOK, OTHERS PRAYING (3 SHOTS) 0.32 4. GV/ZOOM OUT/LV: PULL BACK PILGRIMS PRAY, OTHERS REST AROUND THE HILL (2 SHOTS) 0.51 5. MCU: SYRIAN PILGRIM KHALED MUNIR SAYING (ARABIC) "I prayed to God to reconcile Muslims with each other." 0.57 6. MCU: IRAQI ASAD ABDUL AMIR SAYING (ARABIC) "I call for unity among all Muslims in order to defeat America and Israel. God willing the Muslim Iraq nation will be victorious." 1.10 7. MCU: IRAQI KAMAL YAQOUB SAYING (ARABIC) "We prayed to God that the seige imposed on us be lifted and help us beat Americans and Jews." 1.16 8. GV: VARIOUS PILGRIMS IN MOUNT ARAFAT STREETS 1.26 9. GV/LV: PILGRIMS INSIDE AND ON TOP OF BUSES (3 SHOTS) 1.52 10. TV: AERIAL SHOTS OF PILGRIMS ON MOUNT OF MERCY AND AROUND NEMERA MOSQUE SHORTLY BEFORE NOON PRAYERS 2.25 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 26th February 2003 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MOUNT ARAFAT, SAUDI ARABIA
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Reuters ID: LVA4AN1HMZALFWNSBPB1CJLYE2IQ
- Story Text: Nearly two million Muslim pilgrims began their ascent
towards Mount Arafat, near Islam's holy city of Mecca, to mark
the climax of the annual haj pilgrimage.
Nearly two million Muslim pilgrims ascended a sacred
hill, near the holy city of Mecca, praying for Islam to
prevail over infidels, which many identified with Israel and
the United States.
At dawn, a sea of white-robed pilgrims began climbing the
rocky Jabal al Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in mount Arafat,where
Prophet Mohammad delivered his farewell pilgrimage,14
centuries ago, and declared his mission to deliver Islam
complete.
The ascend to Mount Arafat marks the climax of the annual
five-day haj pilgrimage.
Haj is one of Islam's five pillars.This year it was
overshadowed by U.S. military campaign on Muslim Iraq for its
alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction.
The campaign against Iraq, along with Washington's
perceived support for Israel, has fuelled deep resentment
among many Muslims.
Men and women prayed, sobbed ands asked for forgiveness
for past sins. Others stood contemplating atop the hill giving
a panaramic view of the surrounding plaines.
The crowd reached its peak by noon, with the mount and
surrounding plains turning into a massive white blanket.
The ritual proceeded under massive security to prevent
political demonstrations or violent attacks.
Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally and Iraq's southern neighbour,
has vowed to use an iron fist to deal with any "terrorist"
attacks.
Officials say up to 20,000 troops, police and security
personnel have been deployed to make sure the haj is
trouble-free.
Anti-riot police camped out at the mount and roadblocks
were set up every few kilometres on main highways to Mecca to
check identification cards.
Hundres of surveillance cameras and helicopters monitored
the movement of the crowd.
While many pilgrims voiced anger at the United States,
others called for world peace and brotherhood.
The pilgrims will leave Mount arafat after sunset, moving
to nearby Muzdalifah, where they will spend the night and
collect pebbles to stone the next day three pillars
symbolising devil.
Muslims are required to perform the haj once in their
lifetime, if they are physically fit to make the journey and
can afford it.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None