Final Rituals of Hajj Pilgrimage as Hundreds of Thousands Prepare for Return Home
MINA: The final phase of the annual Hajj pilgrimage has begun for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims out of the total of more than 1.8 million this year. As they prepare to return home, pilgrims have started performing the last rituals early on Tuesday morning.
The journey began with many pilgrims stoning the pillars in Mina at noon on Tuesday, followed by heading to the Grand Mosque to complete the final ritual of circumambulating the Kaaba seven times, known as Tawaf Al-Wadaa, marking the end of their pilgrimage.
For those who choose to remain in Mina until sunset on the second day of Tashreeq, Islamic teachings require them to stay for a third day before departing from Makkah.
Aminatu Haruna, a Nigerian pilgrim, shared her experience with Arab News, expressing her gratitude for the services provided during the pilgrimage. She mentioned the advancements made by the Saudi government, including the introduction of electric cars and scooters, and the helpfulness of the officials.
Another pilgrim couple, Doran Ahmed and Gina Amin from Iraq, also praised the Kingdom for organizing the Hajj smoothly without any issues. As they prepared to leave Mina after completing the stoning ritual, they bid farewell to the blessed land.
After concluding their farewell tawaf, many pilgrims travel to Madinah to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque and visit the city’s Islamic landmarks. Security staff and health officials confirmed the successful implementation of all plans, with no recorded cases of pandemic diseases.
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, over 170,000 personnel served the 1,833,164 pilgrims who performed Hajj this year, with the majority coming from over 200 countries worldwide. The ministry also reported serving 40 million bottles of Zamzam water and providing 9 million daily meals through 300 food supply contractors.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque had prepared a comprehensive package of services for pilgrims arriving to perform the farewell tawaf. This included guidance, field awareness, educational lessons, initiatives, and religious activities to enrich the pilgrimage experience.
In a bid to enhance the comfort of pilgrims, the Haramain Presidency painted more than 11,000 sq. meters of areas around the Grand Mosque with a special paint that reduces temperatures. This innovative solution helps create a more comfortable environment for pilgrims waiting, walking, and gathering in the holy sites.
The efforts seem to have paid off, with the temperature in Makkah and Mina dropping from nearly 49 C to 38 C on Tuesday morning, as reported by the National Center for Meteorology.