Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims performed the ritual "stoning of the devil" at Muzdalifa, outside the Saudi holy city of Mecca, Friday, in one of the high points of the annual Hajj.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims performed the ritual "stoning of the devil" at Muzdalifa, outside the Saudi holy city of Mecca, Friday, in one of the high points of the annual Hajj.
The ritual coincides with the beginning of Eid al-Adha - or "Festival of Sacrifice," considered one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar.
The religious feast commemorates the belief shared by Muslims, Christians and Jews that God gave the prophet Abraham a ram to stop Abraham's impending sacrifice of his son.
Muslims around the world are slaughtering animals to celebrate Eid al-Adha. In Saudi Arabia and
This portion of the Hajj has historically been the most dangerous. There have been a number of deadly stampedes in recent years at Jamarat Bridge, where the stoning ritual takes place. In the most severe incident, in 2006, 365 people died.
Saudi Arabia recently completed a $1.2 -billion high-tech upgrade to the pedestrian bridge to allow for a safer flow of people.
Officials say the revamped bridge has 10 entrances across four levels and can accommodate up to 300,000 pilgrims per hour. It is also equipped with surveillance equipment to allow authorities to manage traffic and intervene if necessary.
Some 2.5 million people from 160 countries are taking part in the Hajj.
On Thursday, during a sermon at Mount Arafat, a Saudi Arabian Sunni Muslim cleric told pilgrims Islam faces many crises, including terrorism.
Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh said Saudi Arabia is living through a bitter period which prompts sorrow and urged Muslims to unite around their religion.
On Wednesday, heavy rains and flooding in Saudi Arabia killed at least 83 people, and stranded hundreds who were trying to make their way from the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah to the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
Authorities have also been working to address concerns about swine flu.
Four pilgrims have died from A-H1N1 swine flu since arriving in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi health minister says 67 others have been diagnosed with the virus.
The Hajj is one of Islam's five obligations - or pillars. Every Muslim, if able, must perform it at least once during his or her lifetime.
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