More than 1.5 million [1] Muslim pilgrims gathered in Mina, Saudi Arabia, to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual on May 27, 2026 [2].
The ritual represents a critical stage of the Hajj pilgrimage, symbolizing the rejection of evil and temptation. Because it coincides with the celebrations of Eid al-Adha, the event draws a massive global population to the region near Mecca, testing the logistical and safety infrastructure of the Saudi government.
The gathering in Mina follows the most significant stage of the 2026 Hajj, which began with pilgrims gathering at Mount Arafat on May 26, 2026 [3]. From there, the faithful moved toward the valley of Mina to complete the prescribed acts of the pilgrimage. The stoning ritual involves throwing pebbles at three pillars, an act that commemorates the prophet Abraham's resolve to resist temptation.
Reports indicate that the pilgrims performed these rituals under intense heat. The scale of the event is reflected in aerial imagery, which captured the density of the crowds in the valley. While some reports describe the crowd as millions [4], specific data indicates the number exceeded 1.5 million [1].
Saudi authorities managed the flow of the crowds to ensure the safety of the participants during the final days of the pilgrimage. The event marks the spiritual climax for the participants before they return to their home countries to celebrate the holiday with their families.
“More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims gathered in Mina”
The successful management of over 1.5 million people in a concentrated area like Mina demonstrates the continued reliance on large-scale crowd control measures during the Hajj. The timing of the ritual during peak heat emphasizes the ongoing public health challenges associated with the pilgrimage, requiring significant coordination between religious leaders and state health services to prevent heat-related casualties.
