Hundreds of thousands of Muslim worshippers gathered in Mina, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to participate in a sacred stone-throwing ceremony, marking one of the concluding phases of the annual Hajj pilgrimage while Muslims globally began observing Eid al-Adha.
The faithful assembled at the sprawling Jamarat complex to hurl small stones at a towering pillar while chanting “Allahu akbar,” meaning God is great. This ancient practice represents the symbolic rejection of Satan and serves as a reminder of the Prophet Ibrahim’s steadfast refusal to be swayed by evil when tempted to disobey divine command.
The massive gathering had traveled from Muzdalifah, where they spent the night collecting stones after completing a day of devotion and prayer at Arafat on Tuesday.
For Pakistani worshipper Aamar Shakur, the stone-casting held personal meaning as he described it as confronting inner demons, stating he was “throwing the stone to my own devil.”
The concluding days of the Hajj align with Eid al-Adha, also called the “Feast of Sacrifice,” which honors Ibrahim’s willingness to offer his son in obedience to God. Abraham is the same figure revered by Christians and Jews. During this holy period, Muslims traditionally sacrifice livestock and share portions of the meat with those in need.
As one of Islam’s Five Pillars, the Hajj represents a mandatory religious duty for all Muslims who possess the financial means and physical capability to undertake the journey at least once during their lifetime. Spanning multiple days, this pilgrimage offers believers a profound spiritual journey and an opportunity to seek divine forgiveness.
The demanding physical nature of this year’s pilgrimage has been intensified by extreme temperatures, visibly affecting some participants as they traveled between sacred locations. Medical personnel positioned throughout Mina were observed providing care to numerous pilgrims.
Many worshippers sought relief by pouring water over themselves to combat the blazing sun, while others shielded themselves with umbrellas. Family members were seen pushing elderly relatives in wheelchairs through dense crowds to ensure they could participate in the essential ritual.
According to a Saudi official speaking on Friday, more than 1.5 million international pilgrims have made the journey this year.
This year’s Hajj occurs during a period of regional tension, with an uncertain ceasefire in the Iran war contributing to instability across the area.
