Two million Muslims gather in Mecca for Hajj

Around two million Muslims were gathering near Saudi Arabia's Mecca for the peak day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. From dawn to dusk on Thursday, the crowd will visit Mount Arafat to spend the day in supplication and contemplation.

Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon on the granite hill more than 1,400 years ago. "We hope that Allah will forgive our sins, and we hope to have a new start with our God," Khaled Ahmed, a 47-year-old pilgrim from Egypt, told the Associated Press news agency.

In his sermon, the prophet is believed to have called on his followers to repay their debts, beware of Satan, perform five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan and give to charity. He also called on those with the means to do so to perform the Hajj once in a lifetime and reminded worshippers of women's rights.

UCJ, UNILORIN.