An estimated three millions pilgrims have begun to gather on the plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia for a key rite of Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage.
Pilgrims began flocking to the plains before dawn on Thursday, in the aftermath of stormy weather and reports that, away from the pilgrimage, about 50 people were killed in flood waters in the country's west.
A downpour hit Mecca province and the port city of Jeddah, where television footage showed storm waters and stranded motorists.
The heavy rains also drenched the pilgrims as they arrived at Mina's campgrounds from Mecca and surrounding areas.
Many took shelter under bridges, tarpaulins or whatever they could find, and when the rains abated in the afternoon, Saudi authorities reportedly handed out dry ihram clothes - the two pieces of unstitched white cloth that male pilgrims wear.
Source: Aljazeera (Qatar), November 26, 2009
