Pilgrims performed the last major ritual of the haj, the stoning of the devil, in western Saudi Arabia on Sunday, coinciding with Muslims around the world celebrating Eidul Azha.
In Pakistan, Eidul Azha is scheduled to be observed officially the following day. Beginning at dawn, the 1.8 million Muslims participating in this year’s pilgrimage threw seven stones at each of three symbolic concrete walls representing the devil in the Mina Valley, outside Makkah, Islam’s holiest city.
The ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s defiance of Satan’s temptation to disobey God’s command to sacrifice his son. This ritual site has seen tragic stampedes, notably in 2015 when up to 2,300 pilgrims lost their lives, prompting subsequent safety improvements.
Despite efforts to streamline movement, roads leading to the walls were crowded early on Sunday, with some pilgrims visibly struggling under the intense morning sun. High temperatures, reaching 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Arafat the previous day, posed health risks, resulting in numerous cases of heat stress and fatigue.
Reflecting on their experiences, pilgrims like Rohy Daiseca, a 60-year-old Gambian residing in the United States, expressed gratitude amidst challenging conditions. “It was very, very hot,” he shared, describing efforts to stay cool with water.
For many, the haj represents a profound spiritual journey, with worshippers overcoming hardships to fulfill one of Islam’s five pillars. This year’s pilgrimage, comprising 1.6 million international participants, underscores its global significance and the unity it fosters among Muslims worldwide.
Meanwhile, Eidul Azha celebrations were observed across various countries, with worshippers gathering in mosques for morning prayers and reflecting on the festival’s significance amidst ongoing conflicts in places like Gaza, where Palestinians marked the occasion amid the devastation of recent Israeli airstrikes.
The haj and Eidul Azha this year have been marked by global attention and solidarity with Palestinians, despite political tensions and security concerns surrounding the pilgrimage.
