Pilgrims At Mount Arafat Pray For End To Pandemic

Difficulties of this life are a test from Allah, pilgrims told; UAE reports 302 new cases, 424 recoveries and 2 deaths; India makes 14-day quarantine must for international arrivals; UK worried about second wave in Europe.

Masked pilgrims scaled Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat on Thursday to pray and repent in the climax of this year’s Hajj, the smallest in modern times after massive crowds in previous years.

A tight security cordon has been erected all around the foot of the rocky hill outside Makkah, also known as Jabal Al Rahma or Mount of Mercy, for the high point of the annual ritual.

Pilgrims, donning masks and observing social distancing as Saudi authorities enforce tough restrictions to prevent a coronavirus outbreak, embarked on the climb to the summit for Holy Quran recitals and prayers to atone for their sins, state television showed.

With the pandemic making large gatherings impossible, only a few thousand pilgrims - Saudis and foreign residents - are gathering this year on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat for the most important ritual. They share a common plea.

“Everyone will be praying for this pandemic to end, and for all the people of the world to see better months to come after all the suffering caused by coronavirus,” said Ammar Khaled, a 29-year-old Indian pilgrim who is an IT professional in Jeddah.