On Friday, over 1.6 million Muslim pilgrims performed the final major ritual of Haj — the symbolic stoning of the devil — as Muslims around the world celebrated the beginning of Eidul Azha. In Pakistan, Eidul Azha will be observed on Saturday.
The stoning ritual, which began before daybreak, took place in Mina valley on the outskirts of Makkah. Pilgrims threw seven pebbles at each of the three large concrete pillars known as Jamarat, representing the spots where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is believed to have rejected Satan’s attempts to sway him from fulfilling God’s command to sacrifice his son.
Pilgrims moved in large groups from their tents and accommodations in Mina’s vast tent city, making use of the early morning shade and cooler temperatures. “Our experience in Mina was easy and simple. Within five minutes we completed the stoning,” said 34-year-old Wael Ahmed Abdel Kader from Egypt. Another pilgrim, Howakita from Guinea, shared her joy about celebrating Eid in Makkah, calling it a dream come true.
The day before, pilgrims had gathered at Mount Arafat, the spiritual peak of the Haj, to pray and reflect at the site where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon. Many braved the heat to climb the 70-meter hill, although official advisories urged them to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. due to high temperatures.
This year’s Haj was marked by enhanced safety and heat mitigation measures, following the tragic deaths of 1,301 pilgrims during last year’s extreme heatwave, when temperatures soared to 51.8°C. Most of those who died in 2023 were unregistered pilgrims lacking access to cooling facilities, transportation, and proper shelter.
In response, Saudi authorities cracked down on unregistered pilgrims and deployed tens of thousands of security and health personnel. Cooling infrastructure was expanded, crowd control improved, and surveillance technology deployed to ensure safety. These measures, alongside a reduction in the number of unauthorized pilgrims, led to visibly lighter crowds at the holy sites.
As a result, the 2025 Haj recorded one of the lowest attendance figures in more than three decades, excluding the COVID-19 years (2020–2022). Last year, about 1.8 million pilgrims participated.
Haj permits are distributed by a quota system, with Pakistan receiving one of the highest allocations from Saudi Arabia. These permits are usually awarded via national lotteries due to high demand and limited slots.
In a message on the occasion, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host Haj and prayed for the acceptance of pilgrims’ worship, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to facilitating a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey for all.
