On Arafat Day, Thursday, over 1.6 million Hajj pilgrims gathered at the historic Namira Mosque in Arafat to perform the combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers. This sacred act follows the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and was carried out under tight security and top-class services.

Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, delivered the powerful Arafat sermon. He urged Muslims to live with piety, stay true to the teachings of Islam, and strengthen family bonds. He also highlighted the importance of truthfulness, good manners, and the spiritual depth of regular prayer, calling them keys to strong faith.

During the sermon, Sheikh bin Humaid offered prayers for the people of Palestine and praised the efforts of Saudi authorities in managing the Hajj. He stressed that accepting Prophet Muhammad as the final messenger means obeying his teachings, walking in his footsteps, and avoiding any new practices in religion.

He explained that prayer is more than a ritual — it brings discipline, cleanses the soul, and helps Muslims stay connected to Allah.

Namira Mosque, one of Arafat's key landmarks, welcomed tens of thousands of worshippers. First built in the Abbasid era, it was later expanded under Saudi leadership. The mosque now covers 110,000 square meters, holds over 350,000 people, and features six minarets, three domes, 10 main entrances, and 64 doors.

To improve comfort, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs made upgrades this year. Nineteen new shaded areas were added to cool the space by up to 10°C. The ground was treated with heat-reflective coating, and 117 misting fans were installed. A smart ventilation system now renews air twice every hour at full capacity, ensuring a cooler and healthier environment for all pilgrims.

Sheikh bin Humaid ended his message by urging pilgrims to follow Hajj rules, showing that order, safety, and respect during this spiritual journey are both religious and moral responsibilities.