About three million pilgrims will converge on the plain of Arafat early Sunday to spend the whole day supplicating to Allah Almighty for forgiveness for their sins and praying for world peace, harmony and prosperity, and unity of the Muslim Ummah. Meanwhile, Prince Kaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, said the plan concerning the ascent of pilgrims to Mina has been carried out efficiently and with no accident. The standing on Arafat, the main Haj ritual, ends at sunset, and pilgrims move to Muzdalifa for shortened Maghreb and Isha prayers, to collect pebbles for stoning of the three pillars symbolizing Satan and for a short rest. Early Monday the pilgrims will move back to Mina, and this marks the beginning of Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice). All government bodies have completed their preparations to host the Guests of Allah in Arafat where Sheikh Abdul Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, the Kingdom's Grand Mufti, will deliver the Haj sermon at Namira Mosque combining Zuhr and Asr (noon and afternoon) prayers. The government has warned pilgrims not to politicize the Haj. “Saudi Arabia is above any party or political intentions behind Haj. Pilgrims should not raise any slogans other than that of Islam,” Aal Al-Sheikh said in comments published in newspapers. Authorities have made renovations over the past year to ease the flow of pilgrims inside the Grand Mosque and the disaster-prone Jamrat Bridge. In January 2006, 362 people were crushed to death there, the worst Haj tragedy since 1990. An extra level has been added to the bridge so pilgrims have four platforms from which to throw stones each day, according to the rites set by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) some 1,400 years ago. The government has taken strict measures to stop Saudis and residents in the country performing Haj without official permits, another cause of overcrowding. Over 1.75 million Haj visas have been granted to Muslims abroad, and at least 200,000 locals have received permits. The Haj is one of the world's biggest displays of mass religious devotion and a duty for able-bodied Muslims. In Mina, 10 kms away from the holy city of Makkah, pilgrims arrived on foot or by bus. Dozens of first aid stations lined the route. This year for the first time pilgrims will get the necessary pebbles in pre-packed bags to spare them the effort of searching for the stones. A special committee organized the collection, washing and packaging of the pebbles after first obtaining a fatwa, or religious edict, permitting the initiative. The Ministry of Health said it has put in place some 24 field hospitals with 4,000 beds, in addition to nearly 140 health centers. They will be served by more than 11,000 medical staff and a fleet of over 235 ambulances. Despite the large number of police personnel deployed in Mina, several pilgrims have set up their tents on the pathways. “We have strict directives not to allow any one to camp near the Jamrat area. Unfortunately, some pilgrims have created some trouble,” a police officer told Saudi Gazette. Security measures are tight. Helicopters were seen hovering over the Mina Valley to monitor the smooth flow of traffic. Civil Defense has allocated more than 20 of its helicopters to oversee the situation in the holy sites. Pilgrims have shown a lot of fervor and have praised the arrangements. “This is the first journey I have ever made in my life, and I was surprised at the great facilities provided by the Saudi Government,” Muhammed Abdul Salam, an Egyptian, told Saudi Gazette. __
