MAKKAH — The first batches of pilgrims arrived in Madinah on Saturday to greet the Prophet (peace be upon him) and offer prayers at the Prophet's Mosque after their successful completion of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. These pilgrims who hastened to leave Mina after performing the stoning rituals on Friday, headed back to Makkah to perform the Tawaf Al-Wida (farewell tawaf), the last ritual of Hajj, before their departure for Madinah. Meanwhile, the pilgrims who stayed back in Mina on Friday night to perform the stoning ritual for the fourth consecutive day, threw pebbles at three Jamarat on Saturday afternoon. The pilgrims hurled seven pebbles each, first at Jamarat Al-Sugra, then at Jamarat Al-Wusta, and finally at Jamarat Al-Aqaba in a calm and peaceful atmosphere inside the sprawling Jamarat Complex manned by a contingent of security forces, health workers and volunteers. They then left Mina for Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Wida marking the end of the hassle-free annual pilgrimage on a joyous note. Although Hajj concludes officially on Saturday, the third day of Tashreeq, pilgrims were allowed to hasten to complete it the previous day. After completion of the pilgrimage, several pilgrims started leaving for Madinah on board Haramain Train connecting Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah and on buses along the Hijrah Road. The government and private agencies related to Hajj work in Madinah have beefed up their preparedness to receive the pilgrims during the post-Hajj season, and to make available all facilities that ensure the smooth arrival of pilgrims and the movement of buses heading to the holy city. Field teams, along with security patrols, have been deployed in several temporary centers erected at the entry points to Madinah on the Hijrah Road. They are tasked to direct buses carrying pilgrims who are scheduled to depart the Kingdom via airport and seaport after their visit to the Prophet's Mosque. There are field teams at temporary centers to direct buses and cars carrying pilgrims who leave the Kingdom by road. These centers will be operational around the clock until Monday, Dhul Hijjah 15, corresponding to July 3. The batches of pilgrims will continue arriving in Madinah over the coming days. More than 70,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive in Madinah on Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, the departure of 4951 pilgrims, who are guests of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, from Makkah for Madinah has been completed. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance is supervising the pilgrimage of these pilgrims who belong to 92 countries under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests' Program.
