Today 1,411 pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Arafat

On the Arafat plateau near Mecca, pilgrims from all over the world have been gathering since the early morning hours, according to official information, about 2.7 million of them, including 1411 pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina, reports the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

Staying on Arafat is the central pilgrimage ritual and the main part of the Hajj pilgrimage, which is performed on the 9th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, i.e., the day before Eid al-Adha.

Pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina began gathering on Arafat last night, and others will join them during the day. A joint lecture and social gathering will be organized there, as well as Quran recitation, while at the end of the stay on Arafat, a joint Arafat supplication will be recited.

As Nezim Halilović, head of the Hajj Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, told the Muslim Information News Agency (MINA), pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina went to Arafat during the past night where they performed the dawn prayer in congregation.

- We will recite the Arafat supplication at 5:15 PM, and then we will all head to Muzdalifah, said Halilović, reports NAP. On the first day of Eid al-Adha, pilgrims will head to Mina where they will throw pebbles.

Staying on Arafat is one of the four pillars on which Hajj is based, which is the fifth Islamic duty of all Muslims.

Arafat is a plateau 22 km southeast of Mecca. The total area of Arafat is 10.4 square kilometers, and the entire plateau is located outside the boundaries of the Kaaba's sanctuary.

This is precisely the place where Adam (peace be upon him) realized the immense mercy of his Lord. After Allah (SWT) expelled him from Paradise and sent him to the area of India, and Eve to the area of Jeddah, and after long wandering and searching, they met on Arafat, more precisely on the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah), Adam realized Allah's mercy, because he was reunited with his life partner.

On Arafat, pilgrims stay either in their tents or outdoors, or some head to the Mount of Mercy and offer supplications to Allah, perform dhikr, recite the Quran, and ask Allah for mercy.

According to Islamic teachings, it is best for Muslims who are not on Hajj to fast on this day, as it is atonement for sins in the past year and for the next year.

Islamic scholars say that this day has special value with Allah (SWT), and it is the best day of the year, while for Satan it is the most hated day.

The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him), said that "Satan has never been smaller, more humiliated, further from good and people than on the day of Arafat. And that is because he sees the descent of Allah's mercy and that Allah forgives great sins...", reports Patria.