Saudi GazetteHaj pilgrims, the Guests of Allah, threw a total of 220 million pebbles at the three Jamarat in Mina by the fourth day of Eid. Tons of pebbles were accumulated daily near the Jamarat. Nearly three million pilgrims arrived from all over the world this year to perform Haj. Once the Haj rituals were over and pilgrims started to dwindle, pebbles were collected and dumped back in Muzdalifa. A few years ago the most challenging part of the Haj was throwing the pebbles. A large number of accidents and stampedes occurred which cost several pilgrims their lives. Over the years each Jamarat that represents a ‘satan' was enlarged to cater the large number of pilgrims. However, the arrangments made this year were explicitly commendable with thousands of security guards, scouts and policemen controlling and oragnizing the crowd. To ensure utmost saftey and manage the crowd efficiently all Haj sites were monitored by security cameras. The multitiered bridge at the Jamarat was another huge accomplishment which enabled the pilgrims to throw stones at the devil with ease. The Saudi Gazette also witness several security guards, scouts, and guides preventing pilgrims from performing incorrect practices. For example, they stopped pilgrims from throwing large stones that could be dangerous, and others from throwing shoes and slippers. Homeless who were sitting on the roads begging for money were forced to leave so as to avoid pilgrims from tripping and getting hurt. The walls at the Jamarat were clearly and boldly numbered, and this helped pilgrims in keeping track of one another. Hence, almost all pilgrims who returned home, not only described the throwing of pebbles at the Jamarat easy and smooth sailing, but the entire Haj exemplary and meritorious. __
