2023-06-28 11:12:00
Thousands of Muslims dressed in robes gathered this Wednesday (28) for the “stoning of satan” ritual in Saudi Arabia, in the final moments of the biggest pilgrimage (hajj) since the beginning of the covid pandemic.
At dawn, hundreds of thousands of worshipers began throwing stones at the three concrete monoliths representing Satan, the last major rite of the pilgrimage.
The pilgrims walked to Mina, near Mecca, the day after the prayers on Mount Arafat, which took place in a staggering 48C.
“I won’t do the hajj again until it happens in winter,” said Farah, a 26-year-old Tunisian, of the event, which follows the lunar calendar and takes place in summer (northern hemisphere).
“My body is melting,” he added.
More than 1.8 million pilgrims, mostly from abroad, took part in the first unrestricted hajj since 2019, before the pandemic, when Saudi Arabia welcomed 2.5 million people.
The number of participants, announced on Tuesday by the Saudi authorities, was below expectations of surpassing the balance of 2019.
The hajj is a source of prestige and revenue for Saudi Arabia, which is trying to diversify its economy – which is very dependent on oil – with other activities, such as tourism.
The stoning of Satan marks the beginning of the feast of Eid al-Ada (sacrifice celebration), when Muslims buy and kill animals to remember Abraham’s willingness to kill his son.
Later, the pilgrims return to Mecca for the farewell, called “tawaf”, and the seven circles around the Kaaba, the huge black cube of the Grand Mosque that is the focal point of Islam.
– Incidents –
Some incidents in Mina claimed many victims a few years ago. A massive riot in 2015 left at least 2,300 dead in the biggest recorded tragedy in the history of the hajj. A similar incident killed 364 worshipers in 2006.
Similar incidents were also recorded in 2004, 1998 and 1994.
In 1990, a failure in a ventilation system caused a stampede that killed 1,426 pilgrims, most from Asia.
Since 2015, there have been no major incidents and the site has undergone renovations, which include a multi-level bridge to allow safe access for pilgrims to the stoning monoliths.
In recent years, the hajj has coincided with the Saudi summer, compounded by climate change that has made the climate in the desert even more intense.
Tuesday’s 48C marked the hottest day of the hajj this year. Scientists warn that temperatures of 50C may be frequent in Saudi Arabia by the end of the century.
To avoid the effects of the heat, many pilgrims walk with umbrellas and others place prayer blankets over their heads to avoid the sun.
More than 32,000 health professionals were mobilized to care for people with heat stroke and other health crises. Water bottles are distributed free of charge.
As he emerged from Mount Arafat on Tuesday, Egyptian Sobhi Saeed, 56, declared that he was fulfilled, but also drained, that the hajj was over.
“I’m very exhausted. I’m very dehydrated,” he commented.
The hajj began on Sunday at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, and on Tuesday prayers took place on Mount Arafat, where the faithful believe the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon.
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