Hajj pilgrims complete key Eid rituals amid tight security at Jamarat Bridge

Millions of Muslim pilgrims moved in organised groups to Mina on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil, one of the central rituals of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, 24NewsHD TV reported on Wednesday. 

After spending the night in Muzdalifah and offering combined Maghrib and Isha prayers in line with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), pilgrims travelled to Mina where they threw pebbles at Jamrah al-Aqabah, the largest of the three pillars symbolising Satan.

Pilgrims who performed animal sacrifice later shaved or trimmed their hair, formally ending many of the restrictions of Ihram.

Under Saudi Arabia’s official “Al-Adahi” sacrifice programme, pilgrims are informed electronically about the timing of the sacrifice carried out on their behalf.

Pilgrims are expected to remain in Mina throughout the day in prayer and worship inside their camps before continuing the ritual on the 11th of Dhul Hijjah, when they will stone all three Jamarat pillars with seven pebbles each.

Saudi authorities maintained extensive security and crowd-management arrangements at the Jamarat Bridge to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims and prevent overcrowding.

Separate entry and exit routes were established on the bridge to avoid collisions between incoming and outgoing worshippers, a measure aimed at reducing congestion during the ritual.

Cold water stations were installed along the walkways, while large ventilation fans on upper and lower levels of the bridge helped pilgrims perform the ritual in extreme heat conditions.

Saudi security personnel, scouts and volunteers remained deployed across the area, assisting and guiding pilgrims throughout the process.