Arafat Day is a significant holiday celebrated in Libya and other Muslim-majority countries. It falls on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and is essentially a prelude to the culmination of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is a day dedicated to the memory and teachings of Prophet Muhammad when he gave his famous farewell sermon, known as the Khutbah al-Wada, on his last Pilgrimage to Mecca, outlining the guiding principles of Islam.
Arafat Day in Libya is marked by extensive spiritual preparations on the eve of Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's most significant annual holidays. This religious observance is marked by a profound sense of piety, where Libyan Muslims engage in prayer and reflection, seeking atonement and purification. The day particularly commemorates Prophet Muhammad's stoic devotion and unwavering faith, reinforcing the values of patience, sacrifice, and devotion among the Muslim faithful.
The grand scale of the Arafat Day commemorations in Libya epitomizes the intense religious significance attached to this day in the Islamic world. Though it does not involve festive celebrations, the intense spiritual elevation and tranquillity that this day provides the worshippers stands as the core of its observance. Furthermore, it is a time for Muslims in Libya and elsewhere to express solidarity with the pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat in Mecca, radiating a powerful sense of unity and brotherhood among Muslims worldwide.