Libyan pilgrims began moving from Mount Arafat toward Muzdalifah after sunset on Thursday, the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah [1].
This transition marks the completion of the standing at Arafat, which is regarded as the greatest pillar of the Hajj pilgrimage. The movement is a critical step in the sequence of rites that millions of Muslims perform annually in Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, approximately 1.7 million pilgrims began the movement after sunset [2]. The worshippers gathered at Mount Arafat to fulfill the Wuquf, or the standing, before proceeding to Muzdalifah to spend the night and collect pebbles for the stoning ritual.
Libyan pilgrims were among the large contingents coordinating their departure from the plains of Arafat. The process requires significant logistical coordination to manage the flow of millions of people across the region, a task managed by Saudi authorities to ensure safety and order.
The journey from Arafat to Muzdalifah is a mandatory phase of the pilgrimage. After the sunset prayer, the crowds transition in stages to avoid congestion on the roads connecting the two holy sites.
This movement concludes the most spiritually intensive day of the Hajj. Pilgrims will remain in Muzdalifah before heading to Mina for the subsequent days of the festival [1].
“Libyan pilgrims began moving from Mount Arafat toward Muzdalifah after sunset”
The movement from Arafat to Muzdalifah represents the transition from the peak spiritual reflection of the Hajj to the active ritual phases. The scale of the migration—involving millions of people in a short window—highlights the immense logistical challenge of managing one of the world's largest annual human gatherings while maintaining public safety.
