- Pilgrims complete the final significant ritual of the Hajj pilgrimage.
- Muslims across the globe mark the start of Eid ul Adha celebrations.
- Reduced crowds and increased security measures at holy sites in Makkah.
On Friday, pilgrims completed the final significant ritual of the Hajj known as the “stoning of the devil,” coinciding with the global celebration of Eid ul Adha.
Beginning at dawn, over 1.6 million Muslims participating in the pilgrimage cast seven stones at three concrete pillars in Mina valley, symbolizing the devil.
This ritual honors the biblical figure Abraham’s act of throwing stones at the devil at three specific locations where Satan attempted to dissuade him from carrying out God’s command to sacrifice his son.
This year, authorities introduced several heat management strategies and intensified efforts to combat illegal pilgrimages, leading to fewer participants and a heavy security presence at sacred locations in Makkah and adjacent areas.
These measures were implemented to avert a tragic repetition of last year’s pilgrimage, during which 1,301 people died amidst scorching temperatures that reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).
Officials disclosed that most of the fatalities involved unauthorized pilgrims who entered Makkah without proper accommodations or essential services designed to safeguard them from the extreme desert heat.
Hajj permits are allocated based on quotas assigned to various countries and are distributed through a lottery system.
However, the high costs associated with obtaining permits often drive many to attempt the pilgrimage without authorization, risking arrest and deportation should they be caught.
The stoning ritual site in Mina is notorious for a deadly stampede in 2015 that claimed the lives of 2,300 individuals, making it one of the most tragic incidents in Hajj history.
Saudi Arabia generates billions of dollars annually from the Hajj, along with the smaller pilgrimage known as Umrah, which occurs at different times throughout the year.
The conclusion of the Hajj coincides with the commencement of Eid ul Adha, a festive holiday characterized by communal feasting and the ritual slaughter of animals such as goats, sheep, cows, bulls, or camels.
