Muslim pilgrims performed the symbolic stoning of the three Jamarat in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on May 28, 2026 [1].
This final ritual marks the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the most significant religious observances in Islam. It serves as a spiritual transition from the rites of Hajj to the beginning of Eid al-Fitr [2].
The ceremony, known as the "stoning of the devil," involves pilgrims throwing pebbles at three walls or pillars. This act symbolizes the rejection of temptation and the defiance of evil. The event took place in Mina, located near the holy city of Mecca [3].
More than 1.5 million people traveled to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj [4]. The scale of the gathering requires extensive coordination by Saudi authorities to manage the flow of crowds through the valley of Mina, a critical safety priority during the final days of the pilgrimage [3].
Following the completion of the stoning ritual on Thursday [1], many pilgrims continued to stay in Mina before departing. The process is the culmination of several days of prayer and reflection, ending the annual journey that brings together Muslims from across the globe [1].
Drone footage and ground reports showed thousands of pilgrims participating in the coordinated movements required to complete the ritual safely [5]. The event concludes the series of mandatory acts that define the Hajj experience.
“More than 1.5 million people traveled to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj”
The successful completion of the stoning ritual marks the end of the Hajj, the only one of the five pillars of Islam that requires a physical journey to a specific location. The massive scale of the 2026 pilgrimage underscores the continued central role of Mecca as a global hub for Islamic faith and the logistical challenges Saudi Arabia faces in managing millions of visitors in a concentrated geographic area.
