Pilgrims completed the rites of the first day of Tashreeq, on Thursday, stoning the three Jamarat in Mina as those in a hurry prepared to leave the holy site after noon on Friday. They threw pebbles at the small Jamarat, then the middle one, and finally the large Jamarat Al Aqaba, following the example of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him. Security, organizational and humanitarian efforts help pilgrims perform the stoning ritual at the Jamarat (Photo: Adnan Mahdali) The guests of God had settled in Mina after performing the rituals of the Day of Sacrifice, which include stoning the Jamarat, shaving or trimming the hair, slaughtering sacrificial animals for those required to do so, and performing Tawaf Al Ifadah. They performed the rites in a calm spiritual atmosphere, supported by services provided by the Saudi government to help pilgrims complete Hajj with ease and reassurance. The Jamarat Bridge in Mina saw smooth movement, with pilgrims arriving through designated routes under preplanned crowd management procedures designed to protect their safety, security and comfort. Plans implemented by security and service agencies helped ensure discipline and organization. They relied on modern technology and studied operating models to manage crowd flows and movement smoothly and safely. The Saudi Ministry of Health said the general health condition of pilgrims was stable and reassuring. No outbreaks or significant health threats were recorded, it said, citing an efficient healthcare system. Pilgrims in a hurry will leave Mina after noon on Friday, the 12th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, after stoning the three Jamarat, the small, the middle, and the large, with seven pebbles each. They will then head to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform the Farewell Tawaf, the final ritual of Hajj. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it had provided more than 2,000 electronic and awareness services to help the guests of God access various services. The ministry said it would continue to work with partner agencies to carry out plans for grouping and moving pilgrims according to precise timetables, ensuring easier movement and more efficient organization and services. It urged pilgrims to follow official instructions and contact the unified call center at 1966 for round-the-clock support, guidance, and assistance, saying this would help ensure a safe, organized, and smooth Hajj experience. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said it had prepared designated routes for pilgrims entering the Grand Mosque, in accordance with preplanned crowd management procedures aimed at ensuring their safety and comfort, in coordination with and in constant communication with relevant authorities. The National Water Company said water pumping continued around the clock through networks serving the holy sites and the Grand Mosque's facilities. It said distribution in recent days had run efficiently, with no significant interruptions. The company said its operating system is based on water networks extending over 5,700 kilometers and environmental services networks totaling more than 4,000 kilometers, supporting efficient supply and sustainable services for pilgrims. A volunteer from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority helps keep pilgrims cool (Photo: Adnan Mahdali) In Madinah, government agencies completed preparations to receive the first groups of pilgrims in a hurry, who were due to begin arriving this evening by bus and the Haramain High Speed Railway after completing their rituals. Their arrival at the Prophet’s Mosque will be accompanied by guidance and organizational services to facilitate the entry of visitors and worshippers to Al Rawdah Al Sharifah, in accordance with prior bookings through approved applications and within the site’s capacity. Relevant agencies have begun implementing post-Hajj operational plans and stepped up field efforts to keep traffic flowing smoothly and maintain the highest levels of security on the main roads used by pilgrims heading to Madinah.
