STORY: Muslim pilgrims set off at dawn on Thursday (June 5) morning to gather at Mount Arafat as they mark what is considered the annual hajj’s most important day, Arafat Day.

Worshippers could be seen walking along the streets of Arafat, near Mecca, heading towards Mount Arafat, where Prophet Mohammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon to followers 14 centuries ago.

Once arriving at Mount Arafat, pilgrims climb the landmark and perform prayers.

The fifth pillar of Islam, the hajj is mandatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity, and is considered one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.

The hajj begins in the 12th month of the Islamic year, which is lunar, not solar, meaning the hajj and the fasting month of Ramadan fall at different times of the solar calendar each year.

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VIDEO SHOWS: MUSLIM PILGRIMS GATHERING AROUND AND ON TOP OF MOUNT ARAFAT TO MARK HAJJ'S ARAFAT DAY

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: ARAFAT, SAUDI ARABIA (JUNE 5, 2025) (SAUDI TV - Must not obscure logo) (MUTE)

1. (NIGHT SHOT) PILGRIMS WALKING AROUND MOUNT ARAFAT

2. (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WALKING

3. (NIGHT SHOT) POLICE OFFICER TALKING TO PILGRIM

4. (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WALKING

5. PILGRIMS WALKING

6. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS BEING PUSHED IN WHEELCHAIRS

7. PILGRIMS WALKING DOWN RAMP

8. PILGRIMS ON TOP OF MOUNT ARAFAT

9. PILGRIMS PRAYING

10. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS STANDING AROUND MOUNT ARAFAT

11. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS PRAYING ON TOP OF MOUNT ARAFAT

12. PILGRIMS ON TOP OF MOUNT ARAFAT

13. PILGRIMS WALKING, PEOPLE AROUND STATIONARY BUS