Abuja — Over four million pilgrims will gather today to observe one of the most significant rites of Hajj, Arafat, which is very important in the life of every pilgrim who wishes to have a complete and acceptable Hajj.

The journey to the Arafat mountain in Saudi Arabia started yesterday with the pilgrims leaving for Mina. The pilgrims have slept over in Mina before arriving Arafat this morning for the performance of the rite.

After observing Arafat, the pilgrims will move back to Mudhalifa before sunset for a vigil of supplication to Allah (S.W.T).

Tomorrow, Friday, the pilgrims will perform the rites of pelting the devil (Shaidan) at Jamrah before moving back to Mecca to complete their Hajj rites with the circumambulation of the Holy Ka'aba (Tawaf).

Meanwhile, for the first time in many years, it rained heavily in Minna from 9 am to about 5pm yesterday. Most of the pilgrims, especially Saudi citizens, could not hide their excitement as the incident was received as a blessing.

Alhaji Ahmed Maidawa, a pilgrim from Abuja, was full of praises to Almighty Allah, saying, "The heavy rain is a sign of acceptance of our pilgrimage. We are grateful to Allah for His blessings; even the weather is much better now."

Meanwhile, the National Amirul Hajj, Senator Kanti Bello, has assured that Nigerian pilgrims are expected to start returning home from December 1, 2009.