On Monday, Muslim pilgrims utilized the early morning hours to perform the second day of the symbolic stoning of the devil, as the intense noontime summer heat led to heatstroke among thousands concluding the Hajj pilgrimage.
In Mina, Saudi Arabia, pilgrims will perform the ritual stoning of the devil’s pillars, a key aspect of the Hajj journey.
A third and final day of stoning is scheduled for Tuesday, followed by the Farewell Tawaf, a ceremonial circling of the Kaaba in Mecca that marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of Islam’s Five Pillars, drew over 1.83 million Muslims in 2024, despite scorching temperatures reaching 120°F (49°C) in Mecca.
The five-day journey honors Prophet Ibrahim’s faith and sacrifice and is a mandatory duty for Muslims who can afford it physically and financially.
Pilgrims faced challenging conditions, with over 2,760 cases of sunstroke and heat stress reported on the first day of stoning alone.
Fourteen Jordanian pilgrims tragically died from heatstroke.
Despite the hardships, pilgrims remained resilient, carrying umbrellas and praising the preparations and assistance provided by Saudi authorities.
The Hajj rituals began with the symbolic stoning, followed by a visit to Mount Arafat, the “hill of mercy,” and ended with the Farewell Tawaf in
Mecca.
Pilgrims then travelled to Medina to pray at Prophet Muhammad’s tomb, a sacred site in Islam.
This year’s Hajj took place amid the devastating Israel-Hamas war, which has claimed over 37,000 lives in Gaza and hundreds more in the West Bank.
The conflict has also prevented Palestinians in Gaza from participating in the Hajj due to the closure of the Rafah crossing.
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