Mecca-Atheer
Tarwiyah is the eighth day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hijjah and it marks the journey of Hajj pilgrims from Mecca to Muna.
In Arabic the word “tarwiya” means “to quench thirst” and the day is named as such, due to the fact that traditionally pilgrims used to fill up on water in Mecca before setting off on the journey, as in early times water was difficult, if not impossible to obtain whilst on route. For this reason people were required
to drink enough to last until the end of the pilgrimage.
Mina is a desert suburb of Mecca, approximately 7 kilometres north-east of the city. Whilst traveling along the route to Mina from Mecca, pilgrims are encouraged to make frequent invocations. At dawn on the ninth day of Dhu Al-Hijjah the pilgrims pray the dawn prayer prior to departing Mina for the Arafat plain, for what is considered the most significant day of Hajj.
Atheer is currently in Mecca covering the Hajj, having received an invitation from the Ministry of Culture and Information, in coordination with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the Sultanate.
