Thousands take part in symbolic stoning of the devil during hajj pilgrimage

Thousands of Muslims on hajj in Mecca took part on Wednesday in the symbolic "stoning of the devil" ritual.         

The Ramy Al Jamarat ritual is part of Eid al-Adha, or feast of the sacrifice, when Muslims slaughter lambs to feed the hungry.       

It is also a part of the annual four-day hajj pilgrimage, a central pillar of the Muslim faith.        

The hajj brings together millions of Muslims from all over the world in prayer and supplication.        

Muslims believe the hajj traces the paths of the Prophets Abraham, Ishmael and Muhammad.           

According to Islam, each able-bodied believer must make the pilgrimage once.           

Saudi authorities sharply cut back on visas for groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses in 2013 as a precaution against a new respiratory virus related to SARS that has killed more than 50 people in the kingdom this past year.            

The Saudi Health Minister, Abdullah al-Rabiah, said late on Saturday that no cases of the coronavirus infection have been detected among pilgrims.               


AP