Mina, Saudi Arabia

On Wednesday, Muslim pilgrims participated in a significant ritual during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, symbolically stoning the devil near Mecca.

As dawn broke, thousands gathered in the Mina Valley, located southeast of the holy city of Mecca, to throw pebbles at a concrete pillar that represents the devil.

This act reenacts the stoning performed by the prophet Abraham at three sites where Satan allegedly attempted to persuade him against obeying God’s command to sacrifice his son, Ishmael.

This year, more than 1.7 million people are taking part in Hajj, which is a religious obligation for all Muslims who can afford to undertake it at least once in their lives.

For the third consecutive year, this vital Islamic festival has been impacted by ongoing conflicts, primarily the tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran that affect the Gulf region.

Since April 8, a fragile ceasefire has halted the fighting. However, efforts to bring a lasting peace have yet to yield clear results.

The Hajj consists of multiple rituals spread over several days, much of which takes place outdoors, and this year the pilgrims are facing particularly high temperatures.

On Tuesday, they endured scorching 45-degree Celsius heat while praying at Mount Arafat, the location where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon.

Later, they spent the night beneath the stars in Muzdalifah, a site between Arafat and Mina, where they gathered stones for the stoning ceremony.

Following this final rite, pilgrims make their way back to Mecca for one last circuit around the Kaaba, the central structure of the Grand Mosque that Muslims face during prayers.

This concluding day of Hajj coincides with Eid al-Adha, a festival honoring Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son, which was interrupted by the angel Gabriel who provided a goat instead.

Typically, the festival involves the slaughter of a sheep, with a portion of the meat being donated to those in need.