CORRECTION-SAUDI ARABIA-ISLAM-HAJ/STONING THE DEVIL Haj pilgrims in Mecca stone the devil on first day of Eid al-Adha

Record ID: 189539

  • Title: CORRECTION-SAUDI ARABIA-ISLAM-HAJ/STONING THE DEVIL Haj pilgrims in Mecca stone the devil on first day of Eid al-Adha
  • Date: 4th October 2014
  • Summary: MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (OCTOBER 4, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SUNRISE OVER MINA MOUNTAIN VARIOUS OF HOLY SITES METRO ARRIVING AT MINA SIGN READING (English): 'JAMARAT MINA 3' VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS ARRIVING AT MINA VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS WALKING TO STONING AREA VARIOUS OF SIGN READING (Arabic and English): 'BIG JAMARAT' VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS STONING THE DEVIL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAUDI PILGRIM, SALEM AL-MALKI, SAYING: "They are indescribable feelings, truly. Thankfully, God blessed us and I finished one of the pillars of Islam, especially when it is on Friday and a day of Arafat; gratitude to God for everything." PILGRIMS STONING THE DEVIL VARIOUS OF THROWN STONES FALLING PILGRIMS STONING THE DEVIL (SOUNDBITE) (English) PILGRIM FROM THE PHILIPPINES, ABDUL HASEEB, SAYING : "We are so tired. At the same time, we are so happy because Allah chose us to perform haj in this year.'' PILGRIMS STONING THE DEVIL
  • Embargoed: 19th October 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7SVH7W2XVT3QD55H5BYXNNB7O
  • Story Text: Muslim haj pilgrims performed the 'Stoning the Devil' ritual in Mecca on Saturday (October 4), the first day of Eid al-Adha.
    An estimated two million pilgrims arrived to cast stones at pillars symbolising Satan.
    Saudi pilgrim Salem al-Maliki said he was happy to have completed one of the five pillars of Islam by taking part in the haj.
    "They are indescribable feelings, truly. Thankfully God blessed us and I finished one of the pillars of Islam, especially when it is on Friday and a day of Arafat; gratitude to God for everything," he said.
    The haj has attracted some three million people this year, including 1.4 million from outside the kingdom. To the casual observer there appears to be fewer Iraqi and Syrian pilgrims than last year, and many more visitors from Asia.
    "We are so tired. At the same time, we are so happy because Allah chose us to perform haj in this year,'' said Abdul Haseeb, a pilgrim who had made the journey from the Philippines to perform the haj.
    The haj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, culminates in the three-day Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
    Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha by slaughtering sheep, goats, camels and cows to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, on God's command.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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