Pilgrims gathered in Mina on Wednesday to perform the stoning of the Jamarat al-Aqaba al-Kubra as part of the Hajj rituals [1].
This ritual marks a critical transition in the pilgrimage, signaling the completion of primary rites and the approach of the final conclusion of the Hajj. It is one of the most crowded moments of the event, requiring intense logistical coordination by Saudi authorities to ensure safety.
The event took place on May 27, 2026, which coincided with the first day of Eid al-Adha [1]. The stoning of the large pillar in Mina is a symbolic act that millions of Muslims perform annually to commemorate the prophet Abraham's rejection of temptation.
According to reports, the 2026 Hajj season saw a massive global turnout with more than 1.7 million pilgrims participating [2]. This diverse group included 1.54 million pilgrims arriving from 165 different countries [2].
The movement of such a vast number of people through the Mina valley is a central challenge of the pilgrimage. The stoning of the Jamarat is designed to be performed in stages to prevent overcrowding at the pillars.
While most reports confirm the stoning occurred on Wednesday, May 27, some sources said that the following day, Thursday, marked the first day of Tashreeq [3]. This distinction separates the initial stoning of the large pillar from the subsequent days of stoning the three pillars.
Saudi officials continue to manage the flow of the 1.54 million international visitors [2] to ensure the rituals are completed without incident. The process is the culmination of days of prayer and fasting in the region surrounding Mecca.
“More than 1.7 million pilgrims participating”
The scale of the 2026 Hajj underscores the continued growth and global reach of the pilgrimage. By coordinating over 1.7 million people from 165 nations, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its capacity to manage one of the world's largest annual human migrations, while the adherence to the specific timing of the Jamarat rituals ensures the religious legitimacy of the pilgrimage for millions of practitioners.
