Hajj pilgrims resume symbolic stoning

MUSLIM pilgrims used the early morning hours Monday to perform the second day of the symbolic stoning of the devil, as noontime summer heat caused heatstroke among thousands wrapping up the Hajj pilgrimage.

The final days of the Hajj coincide with Muslims in Malaysia celebrating Aidiladha.

The stoning of the pillars representing the devil takes place in Mina, desert plain just outside the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

A third stoning is scheduled Tuesday, before the Farewell Tawaf, or circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in Mecca.

The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

All Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.

More than 1.83 million Muslims performed Hajj in 2024, slightly less than last year’s figure of 1.84 million, according to Saudi officials.

The rites have taken place under the soaring summer heat, which is expected to reach 49 degrees Celsius in Mecca and the sacred sites in and around the city, according to the Saudi National Center for Metrology.

The number of pilgrims on the roads leading to the pillars Monday morning, however, decreased significantly, compared to Sunday’s rites.

Security forces, medics and first responders have been deployed in and around Mina, especially on roads and open areas to help pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Astro AWANI’s Shafizan Johari were invited for an aerial survey around the holy sites.

Among the sites visited include Mina, Arafah and the Grand Mosque.