Pilgrims perform ‘stoning of the devil’ as Haj nears conclusion

Makkah, June 6 – Over 1.6 million Muslim pilgrims carried out the final major ritual of Haj on Friday, pelting stones at three symbolic walls representing the devil in Mina, near Makkah, as Muslims worldwide began celebrating Eidul Azha.

The ritual involves pilgrims throwing seven pebbles at each of three concrete structures in Mina, reenacting Prophet Ibrahim’s defiance of Satan, who tried to dissuade him from obeying God’s command to sacrifice his son.

Many pilgrims began the ritual before dawn, taking advantage of cooler temperatures in the sprawling tent city of Mina. Egyptian pilgrim Wael Ahmed Abdel Kader, 34, described the experience as smooth, saying, “We entered and completed the stoning within five minutes.”

A day earlier, pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon, braving extreme heat to pray and recite Quranic verses. Authorities had urged pilgrims to avoid outdoor activities between 10 AM and 4 PM (12 PM to 6 PM PKT) due to scorching temperatures.

Tighter Controls and Fewer Pilgrims This Year

This year’s Haj saw significantly reduced crowds, marking the lowest attendance in over three decades—excluding the pandemic years (2020-2022). Saudi officials implemented strict measures to curb unauthorized pilgrims and mitigate heat risks after last year’s tragedy, where 1,301 pilgrims died in 51.8°C heat.

Authorities attributed most fatalities to unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to cooling facilities. Enhanced security and a crackdown on illegal entrants were evident across Makkah’s holy sites.

Eidul Azha Celebrations Begin

As Haj concludes, Muslims worldwide prepare for Eidul Azha, with Pakistan set to celebrate on Saturday. Pilgrims in Makkah expressed joy at observing Eid in Islam’s holiest city.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud extended his gratitude for the opportunity to host Haj, praying for the acceptance of pilgrims’ worship.

Haj permits are allocated via a quota system, with Pakistan receiving one of the largest shares. Last year’s official figures recorded 1.8 million pilgrims, highlighting this year’s notable decline in attendance.

The stoning ritual marks the final act before pilgrims complete Haj, culminating in the global celebration of sacrifice and faith.