Pilgrims performed the stoning of the great Jamrah al-Aqaba in Mina as part of the Hajj rites [1].
This ritual represents a central act of the pilgrimage, symbolizing the rejection of temptation and the commitment to faith. It occurs on the day of sacrifice, which serves as the transition into the celebration of Eid al-Adha.
The ceremony took place in Mina, located in the Mecca region of Saudi Arabia [2]. According to the ritual requirements, pilgrims use seven pebbles to stone the Jamrah al-Aqaba [3]. This specific act is mandated for the first day of the holiday to fulfill the spiritual obligations of the Hajj.
Records indicate the event occurred on 10 Dhū al-Ḥijjah 1445 AH, which corresponded to Aug. 11, 2024 [1]. The timing of the ritual is strictly tied to the lunar calendar, ensuring that millions of pilgrims synchronize their movements across the holy sites.
While the primary rites are standardized, reports on the exact start time of the stoning varied. Some accounts said the process began at dawn on Wednesday, while others said it started on Sunday [4, 5]. Despite these discrepancies in reporting the start hour, the religious significance remained the focal point for the participants.
The stoning of the Jamrah is one of the most logistically challenging parts of the Hajj. Thousands of people move through the Mina valley simultaneously, requiring precise crowd management by Saudi authorities to ensure safety and flow during the peak of the festival.
“Pilgrims use seven pebbles to stone the Jamrah al-Aqaba”
The stoning of the Jamrah al-Aqaba is a critical logistical and spiritual milestone of the Hajj. Because it concentrates a massive population in a small geographic area of Mina, the event serves as a primary test for Saudi Arabia's crowd-control infrastructure and public safety protocols during the peak of the Islamic calendar.
