MINA: Pilgrims on Sunday performed the last major ritual of the Hajj pilgrimage, the “stoning of the devil”, in the Mina valley of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as Muslims the world over celebrated Eid Al-Adha.
Beginning at dawn, the 1.8 million pilgrims from across the world undertaking the pilgrimage this year threw seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolizing the devil in the Mina valley.
The stoning site has been revamped to streamline the movement of a large number of pilgrims and enhance the Hajj experience for pilgrims.
Roads leading to the concrete walls were nevertheless packed early Sunday.
This year’s figure of 1.8 million pilgrims is similar to last year’s, and Saudi authorities said on Saturday that 1.6 million of them came from abroad.
The stoning ritual coincides with Eid Al-Adha.
Worshippers typically slaughter a sheep and offer the meat to the needy.
Citizens, residents, and visitors throughout Saudi Arabia performed the Eid Al-Adha prayer today. Worshippers flocked to mosques in the early morning hours, where meticulous preparations had been made to offer a seamless and safe prayer experience.
The Holy Makkah Municipality enhanced its work and services in Mina during the blessed Eid Al-Adha and the days of Tashreeq. The municipality increased the number of field teams for each of its centres, dispersed throughout the holy sites. These centres consist of 28 service centres.
The municipality expanded the number of intensive field tours to address any negative circumstances that could potentially impact the health and safety of pilgrims and allocated a variety of mechanisms, equipment, robotic vacuums and suctions to remove pilgrims’ waste and remove waste immediately from the Jamarat Bridge area during the days of Tashreeq.
The Makkah Municipality reported that the number of visits to the food sector has exceeded 9123 since the beginning of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Additionally, the number of food samples examined in the municipality’s laboratories has exceeded 3000, with a 98% validity rate.
The number of visits to ensure the commitment of water and electricity service contractors has exceeded 1120, during which (180) violations were monitored. The municipality stated that the reports suggest a decrease in the rate of violations and an increase in the commitment rate in food stores, restaurants, kitchens, and their employees.
