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Two million Muslims prepare to stone devil

Friday, November 27, 2009 MUZDALIFA: Some two million Muslims have reached Muzdalifa after spending the day at the plain of Arafat to prepare to cast stones at the devil in the most dangerous part of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.Bright weather greeted the pilgrims after heavy rain hit the nearby city of Jeddah, gateway to Mecca, on Wednesday. At Muzdalifa, the pilgrims will collect pebbles to throw at walls at the Jamarat Bridge on three occasions over the next three days in an act that symbolizes the rejection of the devil's temptations.In Mecca, pilgrims flocked to Arafat to pray until sunset. They set up tents on a plain, squatted on the side of the road in shelters or stayed at the nearby Namira mosque.The Mufti-e-Azam Saudi Arab Sheikh Abdul Aziz in his sermon said that Islam stresses respecting and helping each other and being kind to one another as Islam is a religion of compassion and respect.The Arafat sermon was delivered by the chief Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz in Masjid-e-Nimra at Arafat.In his sermon the chief Mufti said that Islam emphasizes on the rights of family and prevents to grab the properties of orphans illegally.He said that anti Muslim forces were hatching conspiracies against Islam and Muslims across the world, he urged unity among Muslims, adding that doubts were being created in the minds of Muslim youths though modern communications. He affirmed that the enemies of Islam would meet the same fate that met Kuffaar when battled against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).He said: “There is no place for terrorism in Islam… The Muslim intellectuals should address this menace and should take measures to root out this hazard besides eradicating misunderstandings about Islam and its teachings.”The Imam stressed the importance of respecting and helping and being kind to one another saying “Islam is a religion of compassion and respect.” The sermon also focused on education and learning as a means for human development and advancement. The role of youth and women as well as brining up children also dominated the sermon.The Hajj sermon advocates these virtues and severely condemns violence, terrorism and inhuman actions. It also expressed grave concern and sorrow over the sufferings of innocent peoples and communities whose rights and freedom are deprived and calls for the restoration of rights and freedom of such people. The sufferings and inhuman treatment caused to the Palestinian people is severely deplored in the sermon.Nearly 3 million Muslims from different parts of the world have converged in Mt Arafat, a rocky desert outside the Holy city of Macca to perform “Wuquf” (standing) at Mount Arafat, one of the most important rituals of Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi authorities have made their best arrangements for the safety and convenience of pilgrims.

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