Pilgrims stone Jamrat Al-Aqaba

Hajj pilgrims threw pebbles in Mina on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, and stoned Jamrat Al-Aqaba with seven pebbles.

Pilgrims expressed happiness with the ease of throwing pebbles, security, health and ambulatory services, cleanliness and their ease of movement.

They moved gradually and safely toward Jamarat Bridge and the squares surrounding the area, then returned to their residences.

Road traffic in Mina flowed smoothly, and security personnel and scouts offered advice and directions to pilgrims.

Guests of King Salman’s Hajj and Umrah program, whom he hosted at his own expense, settled in Mina after throwing the first stones.

Some 2,500 men and women from Palestine and Egypt reached Mina after being joined by pilgrims from Guinea-Bissau, in addition to 5,400 guests from 94 countries worldwide.

Abdullah bin Medlej Al-Medlej, undersecretary at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, congratulated the guests for arriving safely and performing the pilgrimage ceremonies.

He thanked the king and crown prince for their constant efforts to serve Islam and Muslims worldwide, and commended the Hajj and Umrah program.

Pilgrims from around the world have expressed their gratitude for the services provided to them by the Saudi authorities, and praised the quality.

“Despite the small size of the holy sites area and the massive gatherings of pilgrims coming yearly to this place, Saudi Arabia has succeeded in managing the huge crowds,” said Jihad Obaid, an Iraqi pilgrim performing Hajj for the first time. The only thing he does not like is the hot weather, but the water sprinklers installed along the way have been a great help, he added.

“These sprinklers reflect how caring the Saudi government is,” he said. “We all know that man can’t control weather challenges, but the preparations made to protect pilgrims is a sign of the great efforts to help pilgrims carry out their rituals comfortably.”

Mas’ood BuHadji, from Algeria, thanked the security guards for the work they do for pilgrims.

“I would like to extend my thanks and appreciations to the security men who spare no effort in assisting the pilgrims to easily complete their rituals,” he said. “Although I am not Saudi, I feel proud of these Muslim security men, whose job here is not only to secure pilgrims a safe Hajj, but also offer them bottles of cold water.

“Hajj is now easier than ever; the Jamarat Bridge, the services and everything.”

Aviation security

The General Security Aviation Command has increased the number of daily sorties over the holy sites during this year’s Hajj.

The aim is to monitor security plans and pedestrian traffic, and to prevent illegal entry to the sites.

As of Monday, the command is flying on average 10 daily sorties, said Col. Mizali Abdullah Abed Al-Wahab.

Transport Hajj pilgrims

Transport Minister Dr. Nabil bin Mohammed Al-Amoudi affirmed the success of the plan to transport Hajj pilgrims from Mount Arafat to Muzdalifah by bus.

The success is due to cooperation between the ministry, the Public Transport Authority and other agencies participating in the Hajj season, he said.

Al-Amoudi congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the successful movement of pilgrims to Muzdalifah.

OIC praised

The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) congratulated the Muslim world on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.

Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen appealed to Allah to accept people’s Hajj pilgrimage, reward them for it and return them safe to their loved ones.

He congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, thanked the Saudi government and people for their services to pilgrims, and lauded development projects at the holy sites to better serve them.