MAKKAH — Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdelfattah Mashat said that 50 percent of Hajj pilgrims left Mina after performing stoning ritual on Monday, while the remaining pilgrims will leave Mina after completing stoning ritual on Tuesday. While speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Dr. Mashat said that the authorities have decided to do the grouping of pilgrims for stoning and departure from Mina on two days of Monday and Tuesday (Dhul Hijjah 12 and 13) so as to avoid any congestion at the Jamarat Bridge in Mina as well as while performing the Tawaf Al-Wida (farewell circumambulation) at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Although Hajj concludes officially on Tuesday, the third day of Tashreeq, pilgrims are permitted to leave a day earlier. Half of the pilgrims of this year's Hajj took advantage of the concession to leave a day earlier in line with the plan approved by the Saudi authorities. Dr. Mashat revealed that each Hajj service providing company and establishment has been allotted with the set timetables for the grouping of their pilgrims to perform stoning ritual and leaving Mina either on Dhul Hijjah 12 or 13. This is in line with the joint coordination between the Hajj and Umrah Ministry and the security authorities, in addition to all the sectors that are participating in the operation of Hajj. Dr. Mashat said that this grouping plan would contribute to providing the highest levels of safety and security for pilgrims, and avoiding overcrowding among them. After finalizing the grouping plan, Dr. Mashat said, the authorities have made arrangements with the bus operators for transporting pilgrims, who are scheduled to leave Mina for Makkah either on Monday or Tuesday.
