By Samy Magdy / The Associated Press MINA, Saudi Arabia—Masses of pilgrims on Sunday embarked on a symbolic stoning of the devil in Saudi Arabia. The ritual marks the final days of the Hajj, or Islamic pilgrimage, and the start of the Eid al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world.
Muslim pilgrims gather at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, June 15, 2024.MINA, Saudi Arabia—Masses of pilgrims on Sunday embarked on a symbolic stoning of the devil in Saudi Arabia. The ritual marks the final days of the Hajj, or Islamic pilgrimage, and the start of the Eid al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world.
The pillars are in another sacred place in Mecca, called Mina, where Muslims believe Ibrahim’s faith was tested when God commanded him to sacrifice his only son Ismail. Ibrahim was prepared to submit to the command, but then God stayed his hand, sparing his son. In the Christian and Jewish versions of the story, Abraham is ordered to kill his other son, Isaac.
Many pilgrims will spend up to three days in Mina, each casting seven pebbles at three pillars in a ritual to symbolize the casting away of evil and sin. Most of the pilgrims then leave Mecca for the city of Medina, about 340 kilometers away, to pray in Prophet Muhammad’s tomb, the SacredChamber. The tomb is part of the prophet’s mosque, one of the three holiest sites in Islam, along with the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Most of the Hajj rituals are held outdoors with little if any shade. It is set for the second week of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic lunar calendar, so its time of the year varies. And this year the pilgrimage fell in the burning summer of Saudi Arabia. The heat soared to 47 C at Mount Arafat on Saturday.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Millions converge in Mecca for Hajj pilgrimage amid regional tensions | Samy MagdyMINA, Saudi Arabia—In sweltering temperatures, Muslim pilgrims in Mecca converged on a vast tent camp in the desert on Friday, officially opening the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Ahead of their trip, they circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site. More than 1.
Read more »
Saudi says hajj pilgrimage to start June 14Latest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »
Gaza war hangs over hajj as pilgrims flock to MeccaMECCA, Saudi Arabia — Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have flocked to the Saudi holy city of Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage unfolding this year in the shadow of the Gaza war.
Read more »
Hajj pilgrims 'stone the devil' as Muslims mark Eid al-AdhaDefining the News
Read more »
Hajj pilgrims 'stone the devil' as Muslims mark Eid al-AdhaMINA, Saudi Arabia — Pilgrims performed Sunday the last major ritual of the hajj, the 'stoning of the devil,' in western Saudi Arabia, as Muslims the world over celebrated the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Read more »
Sudan’s notorious paramilitary group loots Darfur hospital, aid group says | Samy MagdyCAIRO—The notorious Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, fighting Sudan’s military for over a year, fired shots and looted a health facility in the western region of Darfur, forcing its closure, an international aid group said.
Read more »