MUSLIMS GATHER AT MOUNT OF MERCY IN ARAFAT, NEAR MECCA, 2002-02-19 (photo)

Muslims gather at Jabal al-Rahman, the Mount of Mercy, at the center of the plain of Arafat, 15 kilometres (9 miles) of Mecca, February 19, 2002. Haj pilgrims gather in Arafat, at the climax of the rites, on the ninth day of Dzulhijjah, the month of pilgrimage, which falls on Thursday. The pilgrims stay in Arafat until sunset when they come down to Muzdalifah to spend the night. Pilgrims go to Jamraat in Mena where they perform the stoning the devil ritual. After three days in Mena, pilgrims return to Mecca to perform a third tawaf and saiy to bid farewell to the holy city. Pilgrims believe they will then go back home as pure as the day they were born. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad BM/CLH/