Muslim pilgrims begin the last Haj ritual of Stoning the devil

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims made their way to begin the last Haj ritual of Stoning the Devil in Mina on Friday (October 26). The last ritual lasts for three days.               

The haj pilgrimage is one of the faith's so-called five pillars and a religious duty for all Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime if they are capable of it.         

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and its ruling  monarchy derives much of its legitimacy from its guardianship of Islam's holiest sites. Saudi Arabia's king is formally titled Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.               

The Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars in recent years improving haj infrastructure to avoid a repeat of accidents which have killed hundreds of people. But with nearly three million Muslim pilgrims descending on Mecca,disaster is a constant fear.               

The last big accident was a stampede in 2006 at Jamarat causing 380 deaths. Two other stampedes at the same place in 1994 and 2004 killed more than 500. In other years, the pilgrimage was marred by deadly fires in the massive camp city.


REUTERS