Hajj pilgrims began arriving at the Mina valley on Monday morning to observe the Day of Tarwiyah [1], [2], [3].
This movement marks a critical transition in the Hajj pilgrimage, as the Day of Tarwiyah is a foundational step in the sequence of rituals that pilgrims must perform in Makkah. The gathering in Mina serves as a spiritual and physical preparation for the subsequent days of the pilgrimage, including the standing at Arafat.
The arrival of the pilgrims occurred on the eighth day of Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH [2], [3], [4]. According to reports, 24,500 pilgrims were present in the Mina area on Monday morning [1]. The influx of people is part of the established religious requirements for those performing the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia [6], [7].
Islamic law dictates the movement of pilgrims to these specific sites to ensure the rituals are performed in the correct order [6]. The process involves moving from the city of Makkah to the valley of Mina, where pilgrims spend the day in prayer and reflection before proceeding to the plains of Arafat.
Local authorities and organizers managed the flow of the 24,500 people [1] to maintain order within the valley. The Day of Tarwiyah is characterized by the congregation of believers who prepare themselves mentally and spiritually for the peak of the Hajj experience — the Day of Arafah.
As the pilgrims complete their stay in Mina, they will transition to the next phase of the journey. This coordinated movement of thousands of people requires significant logistical oversight to ensure safety and adherence to the religious timeline [7].
“24,500 pilgrims were present in the Mina area on Monday morning”
The arrival of pilgrims at Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah signifies the formal start of the Hajj's most intensive phase. By congregating in Mina on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims adhere to the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad, creating a logistical bottleneck that tests the infrastructure of Makkah. This phase is essential for the legal validity of the pilgrimage and sets the stage for the gathering at Arafat, the most pivotal day of the entire event.
