On the first day of Eid al-Adha, pilgrims performed the last major rituals of Hajj, specifically the stoning of the Jamarat in Mina. Starting at dawn, they began by throwing pebbles at the largest jamra, then proceeded with sacrificing their offerings, shaving their heads, and performing the Tawaf around the Kaaba, along with the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.
From the early hours of Eid al-Adha, the Grand Mosque was filled with pilgrims engaging in the Tawaf al-Ifadah, amidst a spiritual atmosphere characterized by security and faith, supported by a comprehensive range of services.
Earlier, on the night before Eid, groups of pilgrims moved from Muzdalifah to Mina to perform the stoning of the Jamrat al-Aqabah with seven pebbles after spending their day on the plain of Arafat, where they fulfilled the most crucial pillar of Hajj. They rested in Muzdalifah, while the movement of pilgrims between the sacred sites proceeded smoothly, following a pre-established crowd management plan.
Moreover, the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques coordinated with relevant entities to manage the crowd flows within the Tawaf area and designated pathways, in addition to enhancing cleaning and sanitization efforts. They provided multilingual guidance and emergency services available around the clock.
The holy mosque and its courtyard, as well as the surrounding corridors and squares, were disinfected using the latest equipment both before and after the arrival and departure of the pilgrims. Systematic plans were implemented to manage the entrance of the pilgrims, ensuring their safety, security, and comfort through continuous communication with all concerned parties. Additionally, an integrated air conditioning system was set up to deliver clean, cool air throughout the Grand Mosque and to reduce the outdoor temperatures in the surrounding areas.
In an effort to enhance the pilgrims’ experience, the Kingdom initiated the “Towards Mina” project this year, aimed at improving navigation assistance, which helps reduce instances of getting lost and facilitates pilgrims’ arrival at their camps, using a color-coded system along with informational signs that correspond to the camp layouts.
The modern Jamarat facility stands out as one of Saudi Arabia’s major development projects in the holy sites, capable of accommodating over 300,000 pilgrims per hour, allowing for a flexible and safe flow during the peak days of the stoning ritual, according to the Saudi Press Agency.