Aceh Hajj Pilgrims Move to Arafat, Devoutly Worship at Miniature Mahshar Plain

Pilgrims from around the world have begun gathering at the Arafat Plain to perform wuquf, the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. On the 1,800-hectare sandy expanse, God’s guests will worship in a setting often described as a miniature of the Mahshar Plain. According to gathered data, out of approximately 221,000 Indonesian pilgrims, 5,426 from the Aceh Embarkation (BTJ) are currently moving towards Arafat. This movement marks the start of the critical phase of this year’s Hajj rituals. Abdullah AR, Hajj Guidance Officer from KBIHU Ibnu Mas’ud in Aceh, stated that Aceh pilgrims staying at Burj Al Wahda Almutamayyiz Hotel departed for Arafat on Monday (25 May) local time. Those in kloter 7, 8, and 9 were assigned to Maktab 56. ‘From Sunday night to Monday early morning, pilgrims appeared eager to await the wuquf time, with a deep longing to follow in the footsteps of the Prophets on the Arafat Plain,’ Abdullah told Media Indonesia. Prior to departure, pilgrims received religious guidance in mosques near their hotel and around the Masjidil Haram. Abdullah advised pilgrims to engage in significant acts of worship, especially leading up to the Days of Tashriq. Abdullah, formerly Head of the Pidie Regency Religious Affairs Office, stressed the importance of physical strength and unwavering faith for pilgrims to navigate the Armuzna phase (Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina). In his message, commonly known as Abi Abdullah, he reminded that Arafat is a tangible representation of the Day of Mahshar. Here, all humans stand on equal footing regardless of rank, wealth, or social status. ‘There are no high-ranking officials or billionaires here. All remain silent, awaiting reckoning and reflecting on whether they will be saved or damned. There is no manipulation or image-building—only total submission to Allah SWT,’ he emphasised. A deeply religious atmosphere pervades Mecca ahead of the mass departure. Pilgrims are encouraged to immerse themselves in prayer and supplication during wuquf, as Arafat is where prayers are offered with the hope of divine acceptance.