More than 1.7 million [1] pilgrims gathered in Mina to perform the symbolic stoning of the three jamarat pillars during the first of the Tashreeq days.

This ritual is a central component of the Hajj pilgrimage, representing a rejection of temptation and a remembrance of the prophet Abraham's resistance to the devil. The scale of the gathering requires precise crowd management to ensure the safety of millions moving through a concentrated area.

The process took place on Saturday, June 7, 2025 [2], which marked the 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH [2]. Pilgrims targeted the three pillars—the small, medium, and large (Jamrat al-Aqaba)—located within the Mina valley near Mecca.

According to reporting, the participants continued the stoning rites throughout the day. The ritual is performed over several days, known as the Days of Tashreeq, as part of the broader series of pilgrimage requirements. The movement of such a large population, exceeding 1.7 million people [1], highlights the logistical complexity of the annual event.

While most reports indicate the continuation of the rites on Saturday, some sources differed on the specific start date for the stoning of the Jamrat al-Aqaba pillar. Most verified data confirms the activity occurred during the first Tashreeq day on June 7, 2025 [2].

Saudi authorities manage the flow of pilgrims to prevent overcrowding at the pillars. The stoning of the jamarat is one of the most physically demanding and crowded stages of the Hajj, often requiring strict scheduling to maintain order among the millions of faithful.

“More than 1.7 million pilgrims gathered in Mina”

The presence of over 1.7 million people at a single site underscores the immense logistical and security challenge the Saudi government faces during Hajj. Because the stoning ritual is a mandatory part of the pilgrimage, the concentration of crowds in Mina creates a high-risk environment for stampedes, making efficient crowd-flow engineering and health services critical to the success of the event.