SAUDI ARABIA: Two million Muslim pilgrims climbed a sacred hill near the holy city of Mecca yesterday at the peak of the annual hajj pilgrimage, taking place this year under the shadow of looming war in Iraq.
A sea of white-robed worshippers came by bus and on foot to Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon 14 centuries ago, for the second and most important day of the five-day hajj.
They chanted the traditional call: "Here I am, oh God, answering your call . . . To thee alone belong power and rule." This year's spiritual quest has been overshadowed by a massive build-up of US troops and equipment in the region for a possible attack on Iraq for its alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction.
The Iraq campaign, along with Washington's perceived support for Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians, has caused deep resentment among many Muslims.
"I am praying for Islam to be freed from infidels, of US and Israeli oppression," said Zekrollah, an Afghan pilgrim. "America pursues its own selfish goals everywhere."
Many believers arrived late on Sunday and spent the night in tents and streets. At dawn they began climbing the rocky Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) hill where Muhammad declared his mission to deliver Islam complete and made his submission to God.
Men and women prayed, sobbed and sought forgiveness. Some stood contemplating on the hilltop, others slept in the folds of rocks. The crowd reached its peak by noon, the massed robes forming a huge white blanket over the mount and surrounding plains.
The Saudi authorities have laid on massive security to prevent political demonstrations, deploying thousands of troops and vowing to crush any group attempting acts of sabotage. Saudi Arabia is Iraq's southern neighbour but a US ally.
In a sermon, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz al-Shaikh spoke of tolerance and said security was a blessing. "Islam is a religion of mercy . . . A good life is a result of good deeds," he told worshippers, many holding umbrellas to shelter from the sun.
While many Muslims voiced anger at the US, others called for world peace and brotherhood. "May Allah teach us to live peacefully together, Muslims and non-Muslims. Islam is a religion of peace, not violence," said Jihad, a Syrian.
The pilgrimage proceeded without incident under the watchful eyes of riot police camped out at the mount. Surveillance cameras and helicopters monitored crowd movement.
A record 1.43 million Muslims from abroad are performing this year's hajj.
The pilgrims will leave Mount Arafat after sunset, moving to Muzdalifah 3km away where they spend the night and collect pebbles before going to Jamarat in Mena at dawn to stone a pillar in a ritual symbolising the stoning of the devil.
Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must carry out the Haj at least once in their lifetime, a duty taught by Mohammad and symbolising the story of Abraham.