In pictures: Muslims pray on Mount Arafat as Haj reaches its peak

Huge numbers of Muslims prayed on Mount Arafat on Tuesday at the climax of the Haj pilgrimage, as a punishing desert sun sent temperatures soaring towards 40 degrees Celsius. From daybreak, thousands of white-robed worshippers recited Quranic verses on the 70-metre rocky hill near Makkah, where Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) delivered his last sermon. More than 1.5 million people have joined Haj this year despite the shadow of war across the Middle East created by the US and Israeli war on Iran. More than 30,000 Iranians have made the journey, about a third of the 86,000 originally expected. Iran’s IRNA state news agency said the “wartime situation” explained the drop. Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means to do so. With temperatures hitting 44 degrees in Makkah in recent days, Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to drink plenty of water and protect themselves from the sun during the mostly outdoor rituals, which can take five days or more to complete. Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —Reuters Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —AFP Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —Reuters Muslim pilgrims gather near misting fans at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —Reuters Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —Reuters Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during Haj, outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026. —Reuters Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat during H