Muslim pilgrims scale Mount Arafat for peak of hajj

Masked pilgrims scaled Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat Thursday to pray and repent in the climax of this year’s hajj, the smallest in modern times after massive crowds in previous years. The scene was strikingly different to last year’s ritual when a sea of pilgrims ascended Mount Arafat, marshalled by tens of thousands of stewards in a bid to prevent any crushes.