Tsunami, Muslims Pray for Protection in Haj

Tsunami, Muslims Pray for Protection in Haj
Post-Tsunami, Muslims Pray for Protection in Haj
Wed Jan 19, 2:16 PM ET

By Andrew Hammond
MUZDALIFAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims began arriving at Muzdalifah on Wednesday evening ahead of a stoning ritual in this year's haj, which has been overshadowed by the Asian tsunami disaster.
Pilgrims said they were praying for nations ravaged by the giant wave and earthquake off Indonesia on Dec. 26 which killed more than 226,000 people, mainly Muslims.
'I am praying to God to avert the disasters that are happening to Muslims,' said Ethiopian pilgrim Fouad Amin.
'We are praying for them in Indonesia and elsewhere,' added Pakistani Asef Iqbal.
Pilgrims spent Wednesday in prayer at Mount Arafat, the site of Prophet Mohammad's last sermon 1,400 years ago, and where they believe God will hear their prayers.
As night fell, thousands of pilgrims dressed in white robes, which mark a state of purity, thronged the road from Mount Arafat to Muzdalifah, chanting prayers to God. "