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Muslims Mark The High Point Of Their Annual Spiritual Journey

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By SCHEHEREZADE FARAMARZI, The Associated Press

Published: December 19, 2007

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia - Millions of Muslims marked the zenith of the annual hajj Tuesday, praying for God's forgiveness here on a rocky desert hill, where, in Muslim tradition, Adam and Eve were reunited after leaving Eden.

The ritual of standing at Mount Rahma is the most spiritual moment of the pilgrimage, when Muslims believe God will grant whatever prayers they make.

Among the faithful this year is Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who on Tuesday stopped by the vast tent city of pilgrims on the plateau called Mount Arafat to visit Iranians there, Tehran's state broadcasting company said.

However, he stayed away from a brief rally by several hundred Iranian pilgrims, calling on Muslims to unite against the United States and Israel, which, they said, "dominate the Muslim world."

About 3 million Muslims from around the world are at the hajj.

They climbed rocky Mount Rahma on Arafat, where it's believed Adam and Eve were reunited and sought God's forgiveness of their sins. They held noon prayers at Namira Mosque, where Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon.

The Arafat rituals ended Tuesday. The faithful then went to nearby Muzdalifah to collect stones to take with them to Mina today to pelt the devil. The ritual commemorates Abraham's stoning of Satan when he tried to tempt him to disobey God.

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