About this Holiday
Arafat Day marks the 9th of Dhul Hijja, when Hajj pilgrims gather on the vast plain of Arafat near Mecca in one of Islam's most sacred rituals. The standing at Arafat (Wuquf) is considered the pillar of Hajj without which the pilgrimage is invalid, as millions spend the afternoon in heartfelt prayer and supplication seeking God's mercy and forgiveness. In the UAE, Arafat Day is a public holiday on the eve of Eid Al Adha, and non-pilgrims are encouraged to fast — as it is among the most blessed and virtuous days of the Islamic year.