Mina: Hundreds of thousands of robed faithful hurled pebbles in “stoning of devil” ritual as biggest Hajj pilgrimage since start of endemic draws to close in Saudi Arabia.

From dawn in Mina, vast crowds of Muslim pilgrims began pelting three concrete monoliths representing Satan and heading to Makkah for final “Tawaf” walking in circles around holy Kaaba.

More than 1.8 million people are taking part in first unrestricted Hajj since Covid struck in 2020. About 2.5 million, most on record, joined pilgrimage in pre-endemic 2019. As well as crowds at every turn, visitors have had to contend with ferocious temperatures at Hajj, which currently coincides with Saudi summer. Temperatures peaked at 48 degrees Celsius, when pilgrims prayed for hours at Mount Arafat and were expected to hit 47 degrees Wednesday in Mina.

As helicopters buzzed overhead, pilgrims flooded streets around Mina. In Makkah, Grand Masjid was packed from early morning with pilgrims, who loudly congratulated each other on completing rituals.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 29 2023

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