Saudi Arabia: Millions of Muslims climb Mount Arafat as Hajj nears end

Around two million pilgrims headed out of Mecca to climb Mount Arafat and pray on the mountainside until sundown on Wednesday. Saudi authorities increased their presence on the plain and at the foot of Mount Arafat, to ensure an incident-free movement of pilgrims and vehicles. The day of Arafat is the most important part of the Hajj ritual; marking the ninth day of the ritual before pilgrims head back to Mecca's Grand Mosque, or Masjid al-Haram, to perform the remaining rituals around the Kaaba. Footage also shows the annual draping of the Kaaba with a new cloth, Kiswah. The Ministry of Health has recruited 25,000 additional health workers, and prepared 5,000 hospital beds, including 500 beds for intensive care. There are eight field hospitals as well this year in addition to the regular health facilities in Mecca.