On Sunday, numerous Muslim pilgrims participated in the "stoning of the Devil" ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia, marking the final rites of the Hajj pilgrimage and the beginning of the Eid al-Adha celebrations. This event is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and coincides with other key rites of Hajj, including the gathering at Mount Arafat and circumambulation of the Kaaba in Mecca.
More than 1.8 million pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat before moving to Muzdalifa to collect pebbles for the stoning ritual. The stoning symbolizes the rejection of evil and sin, representing the historical account of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God.
Despite the religious devotion displayed, the intense summer heat led to many elderly pilgrims collapsing along the way. Security forces and medics were on hand to assist those affected.
Eid al-Adha, a four-day festival, commemorates Ibrahim's test of faith and is marked by the slaughtering of livestock, distributing meat to the poor, and concluding Hajj rites. The pilgrimage concluded with pilgrims performing the Farewell Tawaf in Mecca before many traveled to Medina to pray at Prophet Muhammad’s tomb.
This year's Hajj took place amid extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 47°C (116.6°F) and concurrently with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, preventing Palestinians from Gaza from participating. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Muslims observed Eid al-Adha in dire conditions due to the conflict, with many gathering amid rubble and struggling with shortages of food and water.