MINA, 12 January 2006 — A little over two million pilgrims hurled stones, no bigger than beans, at all the three walls representing the devil on the second day of a sacred ritual here yesterday.
Ambulances were spread throughout the redesigned Jamrat area and helicopters monitored pilgrim traffic that flowed smoothly throughout the day.
In the last of the Haj rituals, pilgrims chanting “God is Greatest” threw seven small pebbles at each of the three gray stone walls. The stoning, which symbolizes the rejection of evil, will be repeated again today as the Haj draws to a close. Watched by guards and policemen, pilgrims were directed to approach the stoning site in orderly waves to avoid disasters.
Though everything went smoothly, pilgrims and Tawafa establishments criticized the “illegal” pilgrims who overstay their visit in the Kingdom and swell the huge crowds by joining in the rituals without Haj permits. “These pilgrims are the ones most likely to carry bags and bundles near the bridge, creating obstacles to smooth movement,” said a security official at the foot of the Jamrat Bridge.
The faithful were relieved at having performed the religious duty in relative comfort. The authorities heaved a sigh of relief since in the past the ritual was marked by tragedies.
The stoning of the devil is largely symbolic. However, a lot of pilgrims were seen venting their fury while performing the ritual yesterday. Some gave it a political color saying they see in the devil those who are persecuting Muslims all over the world. “This is nothing but an act of catharsis,” said Muhammad Jamaleddine of Algeria. “To me these walls represent those world leaders who are either killing or are responsible for the genocide of my brethren in Palestine and Iraq,” he said.
For other pilgrims, the stoning of the devil was actually getting rid of the devil within. “This is an act of self-purification,” said a Sudanese pilgrim.
Tension and anxiety had disappeared from the faces of pilgrims and they started sharing lighter moments in Mina. Bahraini Fateh Mubarak was seen strolling on Shara Jawhra with his wife Sarah and enjoying a cup of coffee. “I have come for the third time but this time I performed the Haj rituals completely without any trouble,” Mubarak said. “This is really unbelievable that two million pilgrims performed Haj without any incident whatsoever. Just amazing.”
The atmosphere in Mina changed yesterday with pilgrims thanking Allah for their successful completion of Haj. “The valley of Mina was surcharged on the first day of the stoning ritual but today it was a changed place. And that was due to the fact that no incident took place and the stoning was peaceful and smooth and everybody is safe and sound. What more can we expect?” said Jabbar Al-Jassimi from Oman.
A Syrian pilgrim with his mother in the wheelchair was unable to hide his happiness and satisfaction when asked for his reaction on the stoning exercise. “I was extremely tense before I left my country to perform Haj with my ailing and old mother who wanted to perform the Haj. But, praise be to God, everything went extremely smoothly and the arrangements were flawless,” Saeed Abdul Jabbar said.
— With input from Siraj Wahab, Syed Faisal Ali, Hasan Hatrash and Wael Mahdi
