LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Today marks the most important day of the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, more than two million Muslims prayed for forgiveness today on Mount Arafat. CNN's Riz Kahn is there. He joins us live by phone this morning. Hello, Riz.</s>RIZ KHAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, yes, two-million people out in the desert in the sunshine, it's getting a little cooler now as the day goes on. The people here have to stay until sunset, that's the most important day of the Hajj, the day in Arafat staying until sunset before continuing with further rituals. It's getting a little bit cooler down here because the Hajj is 15 days earlier each year as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, so that's making it easier for the Pilgrims, many of whom have traveled from pretty much every corner of the world and are elderly, as it's still very much the goal of a lifetime for a Muslim to complete this, one of the fifth pillars of Islam. For the older people, it is a difficult endurance because it is about four or five days of trekking from Mecca, the city in the center of -- the city that's in the center of Islam, out 20 kilometers to Arafat, where they are all now, and then back again. The Muslims are all starting to reflect upon themselves, ask for forgiveness for their sins, and try to do more good deeds in their lives, hoping to get a clean slate here. Some call it the rehearsal for the day of judgment. From here they'll go on through the valley, back up to Mecca to complete the final rituals, which will include circling around the Kabah, which is the black shrouded structure, cubic structure in the center of the Grand Mosque in the center of Mecca. It's a sort of farewell to God before they head back home, having completed this journey of faith, this mission of a lifetime. Riz Kahn, the Plain of Arafat, Saudi Arabia for</s>CNN. CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Riz.
The Hajj: More Than Two Million Muslims Pray for Forgiveness on Mount Arafat