Chanting “Allah is greatest,” almost three million pilgrims Sunday stoned Jamarat Al-Aqaba, a wall representing Satan, in a symbolic rejection of temptation on the second day of Haj, a day that also celebrates Eid Al-Adha. Vast crowds flowed past the three pillars, which now resemble curved walls, in a four-level sprawling concrete structure built to expedite the flow of pilgrims, casting pebbles at the largest one. The ritual will be repeated for two more days, with participants eventually casting stones at all three pillars. The ritual commemorates Ibrahim's stoning of the devil, who appeared three times to tempt him. “Hurry up, pilgrims,” Saudi security officers called out through loudspeakers, to prevent crowds from building up next to the pillars. Afterward, pilgrims shaved their heads or clipped off a lock of hair. They also slaughtered a lamb or goat. Most pilgrims did not sacrifice an animal themselves, but instead bought vouchers from the authorities who then forward meat in the form of aid to poor Muslims in other countries. “Thank Allah that we are doing Haj this year. May Allah protect all Arab and Islamic countries,” said Dina Mohammed Ramadhan, a 27-year-old pilgrim from Egypt, as she emerged from the crowd with her husband pushing her two babies in a carriage. After the stoning ceremony, the pilgrims go to the Grand Mosque for a “farewell tawaf.” Mukhtar Al-Rahman, who is more than 100 years of age, said that “this is the dream of my life which took a century to come true.” “The crowds have tired me and as you can see I can't stand properly because of the huge crowds flooding” into the area, the elderly Bengali said panting as he looked for a small chair to sit on. “This ritual gives me moral strength. Right now I feel as though I'm defeating Satan,” said Mokhtar Khan, a 29-year-old who arrived at the site with dozens of fellow Bangladeshis who chanted “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is greatest). Authorities have installed a multi-level walkway through the Jamarat Bridge in a bid to avoid stampedes or overcrowding. The stoning site has been “developed... (and) movement is more fluid and the organization is better,” said the Bangladeshi Khan, who is on his eighth pilgrimage in his capacity as a member of the Haj organizing committee. __
