Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims gathered in Mina near the holy city of Mecca to perform the symbolic “stoning the devil” ritual, one of the final major rites of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as Eid al-Adha celebrations began across parts of the Muslim world.
Beginning before dawn, pilgrims moved toward the Jamarat complex in Mina, where they threw seven pebbles at each of three large concrete walls symbolising Satan. The ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of the devil’s attempts to dissuade him from obeying God’s command to sacrifice his son.
Saudi authorities implemented extensive crowd-control and heat-management measures as temperatures remained extremely high during this year’s pilgrimage. Millions of worshippers from across the world have travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2026 despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The “Ramy al-Jamarat” ritual is considered one of the most emotionally significant moments of Hajj and also historically one of the most challenging in terms of crowd management. Saudi Arabia has heavily modernised the Jamarat area over the years following deadly stampedes in previous decades.
Pilgrims described the experience as deeply spiritual and highly organised. Many began arriving at the Jamarat complex during the early morning hours to avoid peak daytime heat and large crowds.
The completion of the stoning ritual coincides with Eid al-Adha, the Islamic festival of sacrifice, which honours Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Muslims around the world traditionally mark the festival through prayers, charity, and the sacrifice of animals such as goats, sheep, cows, or camels.
After completing the ritual, many pilgrims proceed with shaving or trimming their hair before returning to Mecca for the farewell Tawaf around the Kaaba, marking the final stages of the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars annually from Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, which remain among the kingdom’s most important religious and economic activities. Authorities have invested heavily in infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, and crowd-management systems to accommodate growing pilgrim numbers safely.
This year’s Hajj also unfolded against the backdrop of continuing instability in parts of the Middle East, including tensions involving Iran and Gaza. Reports indicated that many Palestinians from Gaza were unable to participate because of war-related displacement and border restrictions.
Despite regional tensions and extreme weather conditions, pilgrims continued performing the sacred rituals with devotion as Hajj 2026 moved toward its conclusion in Saudi Arabia.
