MINA: Hajj pilgrims on Saturday began the ritual stoning of the devil, casting pebbles at the Jamarat, three stone pillars in Mina, on the first day of Tashreeq, which follows Eid Al-Adha.

The stoning ritual commenced with the smallest pillar, followed by the middle one, and concluded with Jamarat Al-Aqaba, the largest, in accordance with the practice of the Prophet Muhammad.

Pilgrims are carrying out their stoning rituals amid soaring temperatures reaching 46 C, according to the National Center for Meteorology. The center also forecast a further rise in temperatures by three degrees. However, the weather is expected to cool down with minimum temperatures reaching 31 C.

The Interior Ministry has reiterated its ongoing commitment to ensuring the protection and safety of pilgrims across Mina and within their camps. The ministry added that these efforts include managing pedestrian movement from the tents to the Jamarat area and during their journey to the Grand Mosque.

The ministry also urged pilgrims to continue adhering to the instructions that regulate their movement during the days of Tashreeq, emphasizing the importance of safety—particularly when circling the Kaaba, hastening between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwa, and performing the stoning ritual at the Jamarat in Mina.

For its part, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah called on pilgrims to adhere to the organizational guidelines and follow the designated Hajj schedules to ensure the smooth performance of rituals and to minimize the risk of heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

Speaking to Arab News, Mohammed Isaaq, a Pakistani pilgrim, said that his Hajj journey has been “exceptional” in every aspect.

“It is my first time performing Hajj, and everything around us is remarkably well-organized, allowing us to complete our rituals with ease and serenity. What an experience. I am deeply grateful to the Almighty for granting me the opportunity to be part of this Hajj season and to perform the rites in such a profoundly spiritual atmosphere,” he said.

On her way back from the stoning ritual, Naeema Yousuf, a Libyan pilgrim, said she cannot describe her feelings as she prepares to end her pilgrimage and return to her country “with no sins.”

She said: “Allah has promised us forgiveness, and we are hopeful he will accept our Hajj and forgive our sins. I am an elderly woman who only wishes to leave this world with no sins.”

She added: “I would like to thank all those here who have shown us kindness and care. May Allah reward you for the efforts and services you provide to your brothers and sisters who come from all over the world to perform Hajj.”

This year’s over 1.6 million pilgrims will continue their stay in Mina during the days of Tashreeq to complete the remaining rites of Hajj, with the option to depart after performing the stoning ritual on the second day for those who choose to do so.

MINA: Some 524 pilgrims with disabilities arrived earlier at the holy sites, embarking on their spiritual journey as part of a pioneering national initiative led by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, now in its fifth consecutive year.

The National Hajj Initiative for Persons with Disabilities was designed to ensure that pilgrims with disabilities can perform Hajj with dignity and ease. It provides a suite of tailored services, including accessible transportation, specialized accommodation and 24-hour escort support for those in need.

The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan, which prioritizes inclusivity and a higher quality of life for all citizens and residents. By expanding access and strengthening support for pilgrims with disabilities, the Kingdom is reaffirming its commitment to equitable participation in all aspects of life.

According to the General Authority for Statistics’ Disability Statistics Publication 2023, released in May 2024 and carried by the Saudi Press Agency, an estimated 1.8 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population lives with some form of disability. These include a range of physical, sensory and communication impairments of varying levels of severity.

Speaking to Arab News, Abdullah Abdulmohsin Al-Harbi, head of the social responsibility and volunteering department at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said that the initiative now encompassed all 13 regions of the Kingdom.

“The initiative was originally conceived to empower persons with disabilities to visit all the holy sites and perform the Hajj pilgrimage with ease and dignity,” he said.

He said that the program welcomed men and women with disabilities from across the Kingdom, selected on defined criteria and classifications.

“We are proud to host pilgrims with various types of disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, have physical disabilities, or amputations. We have mobilized all necessary resources to support them, including a streamlined travel itinerary developed in collaboration with key entities such as Public Security, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development,” he added.

Al-Harbi said that the initiative had matured over the past five years, identifying the full spectrum of needs among persons with disabilities and developing appropriate support mechanisms, including comprehensive access solutions.

He added that the ministry hoped that the program could serve as a model for all services offered to pilgrims with disabilities.

Al-Harbi also emphasized the initiative’s profound impact on pilgrims, particularly the opportunity it gave them to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.

“The spiritual and emotional impact of performing Hajj has been deeply meaningful for them,” he said.

“With the support of the Kingdom’s wise leadership, all necessary resources and facilities have been mobilized to serve the Guests of Allah, regardless of their background. This valued segment of society has been provided with comprehensive services and supports to enable them to perform Hajj.”

Since its inception, the initiative has served nearly 2,000 beneficiaries of both genders, Al-Harbi added.

Among this year’s participants is Abdullah Saif Al-Qahtani, a pilgrim with a mobility disability, who said that his Hajj journey was smoother than he could have imagined.

“I registered and was admitted to the program. I have performed Hajj before, but this year’s organization was exceptionally excellent, and the stoning ritual was so easy,” he said, adding that every person he encountered was willing to help.

Abdulaziz Al-Enezi, another pilgrim with a similar disability, said that he learned about the initiative through a local disability society in Hafr Al-Batin, of which he is a member.

“I applied for the initiative, and they responded promptly. Their support was outstanding. I left Hafr Al-Batin on my own and didn’t need help from anyone. The initiative’s officials provided everything I needed, including medical and food support,” he said.

He said that he did not pay a single riyal for the Hajj. “I left my city with only my clothes and my wheelchair. So far, the services have been excellent. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” he added.