Stoning the Jamarat al-Aqaba: Pilgrims begin the rituals in safety and tranquility
With the dawn of the first day of Eid al-Adha, the pilgrims of the Sacred House of God began performing the ritual of throwing pebbles at the Jamarat al-Aqaba al-Kubra in Mina, after God had blessed them with standing on the pure plain of Arafat, and then spending the night in Muzdalifah to collect pebbles, amidst an integrated system of security, health and logistical services provided by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety and comfort of the guests of God and facilitate their movement.
The historical and religious dimensions of the ritual of throwing pebbles at the Great Jamarat al-Aqaba
The ritual of stoning the pillars in Islam dates back to the story of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), when Satan tempted him to dissuade him from obeying God's command to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Abraham stoned Satan with seven pebbles at these locations to repel and drive him away. This act has become a Prophetic tradition observed by millions of Muslims annually as a symbol of rejecting temptation, resisting evil, and adhering to the commands of God Almighty.
stoning of the Great Jamarat al-Aqaba, which is the only Jamarat to be stoned on the Day of Sacrifice (the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah), is a declaration of the beginning of the lesser release for the pilgrim, followed by the sacrifice of the sacrificial animal, then shaving or shortening the hair and performing Tawaf al-Ifadah around the Ancient House, after which the pilgrims return to Mina to spend the days of Tashreeq and stone the three Jamarat.
Massive organizational efforts and a leading regional and international impact
The Hajj pilgrimage receives widespread international and regional attention, as it is the world's largest annual human gathering, drawing pilgrims from over 160 countries. The local and international significance of this event is underscored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's exceptional ability to manage these millions of people smoothly and safely.
In recent years, the Jamarat area has witnessed massive engineering development projects, most notably the multi-story Jamarat facility, which was designed to accommodate hundreds of thousands of pilgrims per hour without crowding, highlighting the Kingdom’s leading role in serving Islam and Muslims and providing the highest levels of security and safety for the guests of God.
Smooth flow of movement and integrated services in Mina
Field reports indicated a smooth flow of pilgrims along the pedestrian and bus routes leading to the Jamarat facility, where security and medical personnel, along with volunteers, were deployed to provide guidance and immediate medical assistance when needed. Pilgrims spread out across the area, spending their time reciting the Talbiyah, engaging in remembrance of God, supplication, and reading the Holy Quran.
The pilgrims expressed their great happiness and satisfaction with the services provided, praising the wonderful organization and effective coordination between the various governmental and service agencies that harnessed all their capabilities to facilitate the performance of the rituals with ease and peace of mind.
