JEDDAH, 10 February — The Haj Ministry has worked out a plan to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims inside and outside the Jamrat (stoning) area in Mina during the peak Haj days, according to Abdul Fatah Feda, director of the ministry’s office in Makkah.
He said specified time frames have been set for Indonesian, Indian, Pakistani and Turkish pilgrims to perform the stoning ritual on the 10th of Dul Hijjah.
The following day, pilgrims will be sent to the Jamrat in groups from 12 noon until 5.00 p.m. There will be a special schedule for the stoning on the 12th of Dul Hijjah. Pilgrims crowd the Jamrat in the afternoon in their rush to leave Mina after completing the Haj rites before sunset on the 12th of Dul Hijjah. This was the cause of several stampedes in the past. A high-level committee has been set up to oversee the organization of the stoning ritual.
Foreign Haj missions are being urged to caution their pilgrims on the danger of rushing to Jamrat on the 12th of Dul Hijjah. Pilgrims are allowed to stay late in Mina to do the stoning.
