Pilgrims on Sunday completed the final major ritual of the hajj, known as the ‘stoning of the devil’ in western Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the global celebration of Eid al-Adha.
Starting at dawn, the 1.8 million Muslims participating in this year’s pilgrimage threw seven stones at each of the three concrete walls in the Mina valley, outside Mecca, symbolizing the devil.
This act recalls Abraham’s defiance of Satan, who attempted to deter him from obeying God’s command to sacrifice his son.
Over the years, the stoning ritual has seen numerous stampedes, the deadliest in 2015 when up to 2,300 pilgrims lost their lives. Since then, the site has been redesigned to better manage the large crowds.
Despite these improvements, roads leading to the walls were crowded early Sunday, with some pilgrims visibly struggling under the intense morning sun. Many paused to rest and hydrate, with some lying down from exhaustion.
On Saturday, temperatures soared to 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Arafat, where pilgrims spent hours in outdoor prayer. A treatment center recorded 225 cases of heat stress and fatigue, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
This number is likely an undercount, as last year over 10,000 heat-related illnesses were documented during the hajj, with about 10 percent being heat strokes, as per a health ministry spokesperson.
“It was very, very hot,” said Rohy Daiseca, a 60-year-old Gambian residing in the United States, who managed by keeping himself hydrated. “Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), I put a lot of water on my head and it was OK.”
Pilgrims have embraced the challenging conditions, recognizing the hajj as a unique spiritual opportunity. Amal Mahrouss, a 55-year-old from Egypt, expressed her elation, stating, “I am so happy that I can’t describe my feelings.This place shows us that we are all equal, that there are no differences between Muslims around the world.”
One of Islam’s five pillars, the hajj is obligatory for all Muslims with the financial and physical means to undertake it.
The 2024 participation figures are similar to last year’s, with Saudi officials reporting that 1.6 million pilgrims came from abroad.
The stoning ritual marks Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, commemorating Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son before God substituted a sheep.
Traditionally, worshippers slaughter a sheep and distribute a portion of the meat to the needy.
However, the festivities are overshadowed by the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Najem Nawwar, a 43-year-old Egyptian pilgrim, reflected the somber mood, saying, “We don’t feel the Eid holiday because our brothers in Gaza are oppressed under the (Israeli) occupation.” King Salman has sponsored the pilgrimage for 2,000 Palestinians, including relatives of those who have sought refuge elsewhere. Despite strict warnings from Saudi authorities against political slogans during the hajj, many pilgrims have expressed solidarity with Palestinians.
“We pray for them… and for the liberation of Palestine, so that we have two holidays instead of one,” said Wadih Ali Khalifah, a 32-year-old Saudi pilgrim. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also voiced support, urging full backing for “the ironclad resistance of Palestine and the patient, oppressed people of Gaza.”
