SAUDI ARABIA: On the last day of the annual haj pilgrimage Muslims from all over the world throw stone pebbles at pillars representing Satan

Record ID: 188842

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: On the last day of the annual haj pilgrimage Muslims from all over the world throw stone pebbles at pillars representing Satan
  • Date: 7th November 2011
  • Summary: GIRL ON HER FATHER'S SHOULDERS ON HER WAY TO JAMARAT
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAEHAIRHONITUTNA72RRENKOXB9
  • Story Text: Muslims from the world over were celebrating the last day of the haj in Saudi Arabia on Sunday (November 6).
    Between 2.5 million to 3 million pilgrims were expected to arrive in Mecca to perform the rite, a duty that all able-bodied Muslims must undertake at least once in their lifetime.
    On arrival at Mecca, visitors perform their Tawaf al-Qudum by circling the sacred cube-shaped Kaaba seven times, reciting prayers along the way.
    On Friday (November 4), the first official day of the haj, all pilgrims started their journey to Mina -- a small village east of Mecca -- where they spent the day worshipping.
    On the third day, the pilgrims collect pebbles and throw them at pillars representing Satan on the last day of the pilgrimage, celebrated with the Eid al-Adha holiday on Sunday.
    The pilgrims have access to a $1.8 billion railway, which was launched to ease pilgrim transport between holy sites around Mecca.
    Although haj starts on the eighth day of the lunar month of Dhul Hijja, which fell this year on Friday, Nov. 4, most pilgrims come earlier to visit the holy mosques in Mecca and nearby Medina, where the prophet Muhammad was buried over 1,400 years ago.
    Saudi authorities have spent freely to avoid any repeat of the deadly incidents which marred haj seasons in the past such as fires, hotel collapses, police clashes with protesters and stampedes.
    Home to Islam's holiest sites, Saudi Arabia regards itself as the guardian of Islam and assumes the responsibility of maintaining a peaceful haj season when Muslims from various sects gather at the same place and time.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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