The second day of Tashreeq saw most pilgrims leaving the tent city of Mina after completing the ritual of casting stones at three Jamarat pillars. Chanting “Allahu Akbar,” pilgrims hurled stones at the small, medium, and large pillars symbolizing Satan. They then proceeded to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform the Tawaf Al-Wida, the farewell circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba, the last obligatory ritual of Hajj. Pilgrims were seen in a spiritually elevated mood after completing their journey.
Authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the departure of pilgrims from Mina to avoid congestion at the Jamarat Bridge and ensure smooth movement to the Grand Mosque. Pilgrims started the stoning ritual in an orderly and peaceful way, emulating Prophet Ibrahim’s stoning of the devil. The stoning ritual symbolizes the renunciation of evil and a promise to never fall prey to Satan’s machinations.
Pilgrims proceeded to the Jamarat Complex on Tuesday afternoon by train, bus, or on foot from their camps in Mina. After completing the stoning ritual, they packed their bags and headed to Makkah to perform the Farewell Tawaf. The stoning ritual took place amid soaring temperatures, reaching 48 degrees Celsius, causing over 2,760 pilgrims to suffer from sunstroke and heat stress on the first day alone.
The Health Ministry advised pilgrims to avoid peak sun hours and direct sun exposure to prevent heat stress. Security forces and medics were deployed to help pilgrims and treat cases of sunburn. The Transport General Authority allocated shuttle bus routes to transport pilgrims between Mina and the Grand Mosque during Tashreeq, aiming to ensure their rituals are completed with ease and peace.
Efforts were made to facilitate a smooth Farewell Tawaf by organizing the flow of pilgrims, maintaining a comfortable climate in the Grand Mosque, providing assistance in various languages, and offering wheelchairs for those in need. Initiatives such as “Walyattawafu” were activated to streamline the Tawaf process and guide pilgrims during the Farewell Tawaf. Over 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj this year, slightly less than the previous year.
