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Muslim pilgrims gather around the mounument at the summit of Gabal al-Rahmah, or the Mount of Mercy, at the center of plain Arafat on Monday 09 January, 2006. Hajj pilgrims gather in Arafat, at the climax of the rites, on the ninth day of Zulhijjah in Islamic date, the month of pilgrimage. The pilgrims stay in Arafat until sunset when they come down to Muzdalifah to spend the night. Pilgrims go to Jamraat al-Aabah in Mena where they perform the stoning the devil ritual. After two nights in Mena, pilgrims return to Mecca to perform a third tawaf around al-Kaaba and saiy between safa and Merwa to bid farewell to the holy city. Pilgrims believe they will then go back home as pure as the day they were born. (KEYSTONE/EPA/ALI HAIDER)