Hajj pilgrims arrive in Mina for the start of sacred rituals

The sacred rituals of Hajj are commencing today, with millions of pilgrims from around the world arriving in Mina before noon. Pilgrims will remain in Mina until Thursday morning, engaging in worship and spiritual reflection.

Today, pilgrims will don the Ihram at their respective accommodations, perform two Rakats of Nafl prayer, and proceed to Mina. Throughout the day, they will offer the Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers in congregation.

On the 9th of Zil Hajj, pilgrims will depart for Arafat to perform Wukuf, the pivotal rite of Hajj. After listening to the Hajj sermon, they will offer combined Zuhr and Asr prayers and remain in the plains of Arafat until sunset.

Following the Maghrib call to prayer, pilgrims will proceed to Muzdalifah without praying, where they will later offer combined Maghrib and Isha prayers.

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In Muzdalifah, they will collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil and spend the night under the open sky.

On the 10th of Zil Hajj, after performing prayers in Muzdalifah, pilgrims will head to the Jamarat to perform Ramy al-Jamarat by throwing seven pebbles at the largest pillar, symbolising the great devil. 

This will be followed by animal sacrifice (Qurbani) and the shaving or trimming of hair, marking the end of the state of Ihram.

On the 11th of Zil Hajj, pilgrims will again stone the three Jamarat, small, medium, and large. Afterward, they will perform the Tawaf al-Ifadah at the Holy Kaaba, followed by the Sa’i between Safa and Marwa.

The stoning ritual will continue on the 12th of Zil Hajj after sunset, and on the 13th, pilgrims will conclude the stoning and depart from Mina, returning to their residences.

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According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pakistani pilgrims have been provided 442 buses by a Saudi government agency, while the Pakistan Hajj Mission has secured an additional 510 buses from a private company.

The spokesperson added that 25,861 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to the Mushaira site by bus, while approximately 62,000 will use the Hajj train service. A 4-kilometer walking route through tunnels to the Haram will also be accessible starting Thursday. 

Pakistani pilgrims will have the option to use the Saudi shuttle service to reach the Grand Mosque.