The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has implemented a temporary halt for pilgrims heading to the Jamarat Bridge for the stone throwing ritual from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to extreme heat.
Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman, the Ministry’s official, issued this directive in Mina, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need to safeguard pilgrims from heat stress.
Security personnel are stationed at camps to enforce the restriction, ensuring pilgrims do not depart before 4 p.m.
The Office of Hajj Affairs and service providers are urged to comply, with violations bearing consequences. Prayers are offered for the well-being of pilgrims and the acceptance of their Hajj.
In other news, Nigeria’s Hajj Commission officials intercepted two illegal migrants, Muhammed Umar and Nazifi Tasi’u Garba, infiltrating pilgrim tents.
Concerns over overstretched accommodations and petty theft prompted this action.
The suspects were handed over to Saudi Police, had their biometrics recorded, and were fined 10,000 Saudi Riyals, payable upon their departure.
The Jamarat, three pillars in Mecca, hold significance in the Hajj pilgrimage, where pilgrims symbolically “stone the devil” by throwing pebbles.
Heat Concerns Lead to Temporary Suspension of Pilgrim Ritual at Jamarat Bridge This ritual symbolizes rejecting temptation, affirming faith in Allah, and honoring Prophet Ibrahim.
According to the Saudi Gazette, over 1.83 million pilgrims performed this year’s Hajj, including 1,611,310 foreign pilgrims and 221,854 domestic pilgrims, both citizens and expatriates, totaling 1,833,164 pilgrims from within the Kingdom and abroad.
