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CNN Live At Daybreak

Muslim Pilgrimage, Millions Perform Hajj

Aired February 10, 2003 - 05:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Muslims from around the world are participating in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the hajj. It's a huge religious event. All Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.
Our Hala Gorani is covering the rituals in Arafat, Saudi Arabia, and she joins us live by videophone.

It's quite a spectacle, isn't it?

HALA GORANI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is indeed a spectacle, and right now is the climax of the hajj, which lasts several days.

As you mentioned there, we're in Arafat. Arafat is where the prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon, and where it's believed God comes closer to the earth to listen to the prayers of the pilgrims. This is when pilgrims utter prayers of forgiveness for their sins.

And the pictures, as you can see there -- I think you're running some pictures there -- of the streets of Arafat, hundreds of thousands, millions of pilgrims have gathered. They came by bus, they came by foot, they came on the top of trucks and buses and 4 x 4s, all to gather here into Arafat for this massive, massive religious event.

It is quite awe inspiring. Just a few minutes ago, we saw the midday prayer there with millions of people lined up, most of them wearing white -- it is the required garment for men to wear white clothing with no stitching, it's one of the requirements and one of the rituals -- praying exactly at the same time in unison.

From here, all of the pilgrims will head to Muzdalifah. They'll pick up some pebbles there and go to Mina on their way back to Mecca. In Mina, they will stone pillars of jamarat, and that is the ritual symbolizing the stoning of the devil -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Hala Gorani reporting live from Arafat, Saudi Arabia this morning -- thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.






Aired February 10, 2003 - 05:36   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Muslims from around the world are participating in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the hajj. It's a huge religious event. All Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.
Our Hala Gorani is covering the rituals in Arafat, Saudi Arabia, and she joins us live by videophone.

It's quite a spectacle, isn't it?

HALA GORANI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is indeed a spectacle, and right now is the climax of the hajj, which lasts several days.

As you mentioned there, we're in Arafat. Arafat is where the prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon, and where it's believed God comes closer to the earth to listen to the prayers of the pilgrims. This is when pilgrims utter prayers of forgiveness for their sins.

And the pictures, as you can see there -- I think you're running some pictures there -- of the streets of Arafat, hundreds of thousands, millions of pilgrims have gathered. They came by bus, they came by foot, they came on the top of trucks and buses and 4 x 4s, all to gather here into Arafat for this massive, massive religious event.

It is quite awe inspiring. Just a few minutes ago, we saw the midday prayer there with millions of people lined up, most of them wearing white -- it is the required garment for men to wear white clothing with no stitching, it's one of the requirements and one of the rituals -- praying exactly at the same time in unison.

From here, all of the pilgrims will head to Muzdalifah. They'll pick up some pebbles there and go to Mina on their way back to Mecca. In Mina, they will stone pillars of jamarat, and that is the ritual symbolizing the stoning of the devil -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Hala Gorani reporting live from Arafat, Saudi Arabia this morning -- thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.