Pilgrims throng Arafat on 2nd day of Hajj

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Millions of Muslim pilgrims have descended on the plain of Arafat in Saudi Arabia on the second day of Hajj, according to Al Jazeera.net.
Leaving the tent city of Mina early Sunday, the pilgrims gathered for a day of reflection and prayer at the foot of Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad gave his farewell sermon.
"Here I am in answer to Thy call, Lord, here I am. There is no other God but Thee. Praise be unto Thee," the pilgrims prayed.
Organisers have so far reported no major problems. In past years, hundreds of people have been killed in stampedes and fires.
More than 100,000 security guards have been deployed this year to discourage crime and help control the crowds.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims with the financial means to undertake it once in their lifetimes.
"The day of Arafat is a major event in Hajj," Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra, said from Arafart.
"Muslims believe that this day resembles - in one way or another - the hereafter, where all human beings will stand before God for their final judgement."
As the sun sets, pilgrims will journey to the valley of Muzdalifa, a few kilometres away, for the night before returning to Mina in the morning.
On Monday, as Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), pilgrims performing Hajj cast pebbles at a pillar on the Jamaraat Bridge in Mina, in a symbolic renunciation of the devil.
This stoning ritual continues over the next two days before Hajj draws to a close.
Saudi Arabia places strict controls on the number of pilgrims entering the country - giving a quota to each government, who then select pilgrims.