Jamarat Complex accommodates over 300,000 pilgrims per hour
Saudi Gazette Report
MINA — The high-tech Jamarat Complex in Mina stands as one of the most remarkable development projects implemented by Saudi Arabia at the holy sites. It represents a major advancement in crowd management, meeting the highest global engineering and organizational standards.
The Jamarat facility has a capacity of over 300,000 pilgrims per hour, allowing for smooth and safe movement during the peak of the stoning ritual throughout the Days of Tashreeq (Dhul Hijjah 11-13). Pilgrims perform stoning ritual seven times on each of the three Jamarat pillars on Tashreeq days. The Jamarat area witnesses the arrival of large groups of pilgrims performing the stoning ritual in a spiritual scene that reflects devotion and emulation of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Historically, the Jamarat consisted of small stone pillars surrounded by narrow spaces and limited pathways, often resulting in overcrowding and difficulty in performing the ritual, especially with the growing number of pilgrims. Today, the site has been transformed into an integrated architectural landmark spanning five levels, with a length of 950 meters and a width of 80 meters. It includes 386 escalators, 11 buildings for escalators, multiple-direction bridges, designated entry and exit paths, emergency exits, as well as advanced cooling and monitoring systems.
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Saudi Gazette
15 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims cast stones at three Jamarat on first day of Tashreeq
Saudi Gazette report MINA — As the annual pilgrimage of Hajj reached its final phase on the fourth day of Hajj and the first day of Tashreeq on Saturday, pilgrims in Mina began the ritual of throwing pebbles at the three Jamarat, symbolizing Satan. Pilgrims proceeded from their camps in Mina to the Jamarat Complex on their scheduled time this afternoon. Wearing their normal dress after exiting from ihram (tahallul) on Friday, they moved in batches in an orderly and smooth manner. On their arrival at the Jamarat, pilgrims, chanting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is the greatest), stoned first at Jamarat Al-Sugra (small pillar), then at Jamarat Al-Wusta (medium pillar) and lastly at Jamarat Al-Aqba (largest pillar) seven times each. The pilgrims moved easily from one pillar to the next as they hurled pebbles at the pillars. They prayed after stoning the first two pillars and quit quickly after stoning at the third Jamarat, following the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The ritual began on Friday by stoning only at Jamarat Al-Aqba. A huge contingent of security forces and health workers were deployed at the Jamarat Complex to ensure the safety and health of the pilgrims as well as their smooth conduct of the stoning ritual. The stoning ritual was carried out according to a well-implemented plan developed through collaboration and coordination among relevant authorities, supported by prompt field oversight. This approach significantly enhanced the safety and security of the pilgrims, allowing them to perform their Hajj rituals with ease and tranquility. Stoning at Jamarat is the most repeated rituals of the Hajj. Pilgrims perform the ritual at one Jamarat (Jamarat Al-Aqba) on the first day of stoning on the Day of Sacrifice, Dhul Hijjah 10. In the next two or three days, they hurl seven stones each at the three pillars. The five-level Jamarat Complex structure around the three stoning sites allows for a smooth flow of pilgrims who are only permitted to move in one direction throughout the area to prevent congestion. After performing four main rituals of stoning, sacrificing animals, shaving or cutting hair and performing Tawaf Al-Ifadah and sai' on Friday, pilgrims returned to their accommodation in Mina. After Saturday's ritual of stoning, they will spend the rest of the time in prayers and supplications. Col. Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub, security spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, urged pilgrims who intend to leave Mina early on the second day of Tashreeq on Sunday to remain in their camps until the departure time specified by their service providers. The spokesman emphasized the continuation of security and organizational efforts, in accordance with approved plans, to ensure the safety of the pilgrims until they complete their rituals and return home safely. Eng. Khaled Al-Tali'e, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, reassured everyone about the health of the pilgrims, confirming that no outbreaks of epidemics or diseases affecting public health were reported among the pilgrims. The spokesman attributed this to the integrated efforts of various government agencies, working in harmony and cohesion, to serve the guests of God. This reflects their unwavering commitment to placing their health and safety at the forefront of their priorities, in line with the aspirations of the country's leadership.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims perform 4 main rituals of Hajj in a serene atmosphere on Friday
Saudi Gazette Report MINA — The Hajj pilgrims performed four main rituals of Hajj in a smooth and serene atmosphere on Friday. The meticulously designed foolproof organizational and service plans for Hajj 2025 have transformed the pilgrims' journey from Muzdalifah to Mina into a smooth crowd movement featuring easy access to the Jamarat facility for the stoning ritual in a safe and tranquil atmosphere. These plans, implemented in coordination with various security and service agencies, have contributed to achieving the highest levels of discipline and organization by utilizing modern technological tools and well-designed operational models. These enabled smooth and safe crowd movement. With hearts filled with joy and pleasure over performing the ritual of standing at Arafat, the apex point of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, on Thursday, masses of pilgrims embarked on a symbolic stoning of the devil under the soaring summer heat. The ritual marks the final days of the Hajj and the start of the Eid Al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world on Friday, Dhul Hijjah 10, which is also known as Yaum Al-Nahr or the Day of Sacrifice. On Friday morning, crowds of pilgrims headed on foot to the stoning areas. Some were seen pushing disabled pilgrims on wheelchairs on a multi-lane road leading to the complex housing the large pillars. Most pilgrims were seen sweltering and carrying umbrellas to protect them against the burning summer sun. Upon reaching Mina, pilgrims performed stoning at Jamarat Al-Aqba (biggest pillar symbolizing Satan), following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They used seven pebbles for the stoning ritual. The pilgrims' movement to hurl pebbles at Jamrat Al-Aqaba was smooth, orderly, and flexible on the floors of the giant Jamarat Bridge Complex with all the precautionary measures in place. Reaching the Jamarat, they stopped the chanting of talbiyah and started reciting takbeer (Allahu Akbar) while proceeding to perform the stoning ritual. Around 300,000 pilgrims can perform the stoning ritual at the facility in an hour. All the security, health, ambulance, hygiene and civil defense services are well in place at the Jamarat Bridge. The security men were seen organizing the movement of pilgrims in the vast sprawling stoning area on the multi-level Jamarat Complex and at its entrances and exits. The heat-blocking coating of pedestrian paths in Mina leading to the Jamarat Bridge are giving some respite to the pilgrims under the scorching sun. The General Directorate of Civil Defense has strengthened its preparations throughout the Jamarat facility and its surrounding areas to receive the pilgrims. The Civil Defense forces continued their field services by conducting operations throughout the Jamarat Bridge facility and surrounding areas to provide services to pilgrims. Civil Defense teams and units are stationed at all points of the bridge and its main entrances. They are equipped with personnel, technical equipment, machinery, and protective gear, working in collaboration with Hajj security forces and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims. After performing the stoning ritual, the pilgrims sacrificed animals, and thus had a partial exit (first tahallul) from the state of ihram by shaving or cutting hair for men while women trim the length of a finger-tip from one strand of hair. They then changed back into normal clothing from ihram. Pilgrims then proceeded to Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah and sai' (ritual of running between Safa and Marwah), two other pillars of Hajj. Those pilgrims who performed sai' along with Tawaful Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival) need not perform it again. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, working in close coordination with relevant authorities, has meticulously managed crowd movement within the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba). In addition to crowd control, comprehensive services have been intensified to ensure pilgrims' well-being, including rigorous cleaning and sterilization efforts, provision of multi-language guidance and counseling services, and 24-hour emergency and ambulance services With the performance of tawaf and sai', pilgrims would exit completely from the state of ihram. To assist pilgrims in completing their Hajj rituals, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is providing a 24-hour haircut service for complete tahallul. The service is available at two convenient locations within the Grand Mosque: one near Al-Marwah Gate and the other in the eastern courtyard. A specialized and experienced team delivers this swift service, with each pilgrim's haircut taking two minutes. All tools used are fully sterilized, ensuring an efficient, prompt, and high-quality service that adheres to the strictest safety standards. In the remaining two or three days of Hajj, which are known as Ayyamu Tashreeq or Tashreeq Days, the only ritual to be performed is stoning at each of the three Jamarat (Jamarat Al-Sughra, Jamarat Al-Wusta and Jamarat Al-Aqba) seven times each after staying overnight in Mina.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Jamarat Complex accommodates over 300,000 pilgrims per hour
Saudi Gazette Report MINA — The high-tech Jamarat Complex in Mina stands as one of the most remarkable development projects implemented by Saudi Arabia at the holy sites. It represents a major advancement in crowd management, meeting the highest global engineering and organizational standards. The Jamarat facility has a capacity of over 300,000 pilgrims per hour, allowing for smooth and safe movement during the peak of the stoning ritual throughout the Days of Tashreeq (Dhul Hijjah 11-13). Pilgrims perform stoning ritual seven times on each of the three Jamarat pillars on Tashreeq days. The Jamarat area witnesses the arrival of large groups of pilgrims performing the stoning ritual in a spiritual scene that reflects devotion and emulation of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Historically, the Jamarat consisted of small stone pillars surrounded by narrow spaces and limited pathways, often resulting in overcrowding and difficulty in performing the ritual, especially with the growing number of pilgrims. Today, the site has been transformed into an integrated architectural landmark spanning five levels, with a length of 950 meters and a width of 80 meters. It includes 386 escalators, 11 buildings for escalators, multiple-direction bridges, designated entry and exit paths, emergency exits, as well as advanced cooling and monitoring systems.
