By Press TV Website Staff
Muslims from around the world converged at Mount Arafat, the "hill of mercy" south of the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, for the most important ritual of the pilgrimage on Saturday.
Coinciding with this peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, issued his annual Hajj message, this year focusing on the events in Gaza.
In his message, the Leader asserted that the issue of bara'at [renunciation of the polytheists] is more significant than ever amid the Israeli-American genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza.
More than 37,000 people have been killed in the besieged Palestinian territory since the events of October 7, the majority of them children and women. More than two million have been displaced.
The tragedies in Gaza, the Leader stated in his message, are “unparalleled in contemporary history” and leave no room for tolerance from any individual, party, government, or Muslim denomination.
“This year's renunciation of the polytheists must continue beyond the time and place of Hajj to all Muslim countries and cities worldwide. It must extend beyond just the Hajj pilgrims and encompass the general populace,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
He added that the renunciation of the Zionist regime and its supporters, especially the US, must be “demonstrated in words and actions” to bring an end to the murderous onslaught on Palestinians.
“The ironclad resistance of Palestine and the patient, oppressed people of Gaza – whose remarkable patience and resistance have earned them admiration and respect globally – must be fully supported in every way,” the message further read.
The message was read out to the pilgrims at Mount Arafat, who vociferously chanted slogans against the Israeli regime and its accomplices while reaffirming their support for the Palestinian cause.
Here are some images from Mount Arafat showing pilgrims holding the Palestinian flag and other symbols of support and solidarity with the people of Palestine.