The pilgrims who are taking part in this year's Hajj started here on Friday performing the rituals of the stoning of three Jamarats (pillars) representing the devil. The Kingdom's authorities intensified the efforts of the securitymen in order to help and to assist the pilgrims and to ensure more security and safety for them. The pilgrims began their trek from the town of Muzdalifah, where they collected pebbles to stone the pillars, back into Mina early yesterday morning. But instead of rushing to the bridge they first went to their camps and then came out in groups to complete the stoning ritual. The faithful threw only seven small stones at the first pillar. The Stoning of continues over the next two days during which pilgrims hurl seven stones every day at each of the three pillars standing apart. Pilgrims returned to Makkah on Thursday to sacrifice animals to mark Eid-Al-Adha, before returning to Mina Friday to continue the stoning ceremony until Saturday. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
