Libya Day of Arafa

Libya Day of Arafa

Ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar

The Islamic nation of Libya recognizes the Day of Arafa as a public holiday. Waqf al Arafa (translated as Day of Arafa, Day of Arafat, or Day of Repentance ) is an Islamic religious observation marked by prayer, fasting, and penitence. One of the five pillars of Islam is the requirement that every able-bodied Muslim make a pilgrimage to Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia, at least once during his or her lifetime if financially possible. This journey is known as Hajj, the annual Pilgrimage to Mecca that occurs during Dhu-al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar.
The ninth day of Dhu-al-Hijjah is known as the Day of Arafa. On this holy day those conducting Hajj gather on the Plain of Arafat and nearby Mount Arafat—a granite hill east of Mecca also referred to as the Mountain of Mercy—where the prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon. The pilgrims' experience on the Plain of Arafat is often cited as the height of the annual journey to Mecca and this time spent in prayer and reflection is that which validates a Muslim's participation in Hajj. Many Libyan Muslims and those in other countries fast, perform acts of devotion, and pray for forgiveness of their sins on this day. The observation of Day of Arafa begins at dawn and ceases at sunset. The following day marks the major Muslim festival Id-al-Adha.

CONTACTS:
Embassy of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
2600 Virginia Ave. N.W., Ste. 705
Washington, D.C. 20037
202-944-9601; fax: 202-944-9606
www.libyanbureau-dc.org
American Muslim Council
1212 New York Ave., Ste. 525
Washington, DC 20005
202-789-2262