Over 2.5 million faithful worldwide have started their journey to Mina, marking the first stage of the Hajj pilgrimage, following the Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Baitullah al-Haram (God’s Sacred House) and Sa’ai rituals.
During their stay at Mina, the pilgrims will observe Zohar, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers before moving towards Arafat and Jabal al-Rahma (Mountain of Mercy) post the Fajr prayers on Zilhajj’s 9th day. They will partake in the Hajj sermon from Masjid-e-Nimra on Tuesday.
The pilgrims will stay in Arafat until the call for Maghrib prayer. This location, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Mina, holds immense significance as it’s where Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) delivered his final Hajj sermon.
After the Maghrib prayer, the pilgrims will go to Muzdalifa, offering Maghrib and Isha prayers and spending the night under the sky. They will also collect pebbles for ‘Rami,’ the symbolic stoning of the Devil ritual performed three times over the coming days. After the dawn prayers on the 10th of Zilhajj, also known as Eid ul-Azha, the pilgrims will return to Mina.
The first stoning rite, called Jamarat al-Aqabah, starts after sunrise. Pilgrims will throw seven pebbles at a post symbolizing the devil, emulating Hazrat Ibrahim’s (A.S) resistance against disobeying God’s command.
After stoning, the pilgrims move to the sheep slaughter ritual, representing Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) readiness to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (A.S), on God’s command. The meat from these sacrifices is then distributed to Muslims in need, mirroring how God replaced Hazrat Ismail (A.S) with a lamb at the last moment.
Safety Measures
Thousands prayed outside the Grand Mosque on vibrant carpets laid on the pavement, with male pilgrims donned in simple white robes. The surrounding area had ambulances, mobile clinics, and fire trucks.
The pilgrims ‘ spirits remain unshaken despite past disasters, including a 2015 stampede that claimed up to 2,300 lives. No significant incidents have occurred since then.
The timing of this year’s Hajj in summer will test worshippers’ resilience during the predominantly outdoor ritual. Police carrying white umbrellas to shield against the sun performed foot patrols, set up checkpoints to inspect Hajj permits, and sprinkled water on pilgrims as temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
Inside the Grand Mosque, thousands of paramedics were on standby. Saudi authorities announced that over 32,000 health workers would assist in managing heatstroke, dehydration, and exhaustion.
