Mina, November 28: Over 2.5 million pilgrims stoned the Jamrat on the first day of the three-day ritual here on Friday.The pilgrims performed the stoning — considered a potentially dangerous Haj ritual — at the Jamrat Bridge with ease thanks to massive SR4.6-billion multistory structure built to reduce overcrowding.
“Everything went according to plan and there was no untoward incident at the Jamrat,” said a security official.
Chanting “Allah-o-Akbar” the faithful enthusiastically stoned the Jamrat Al-Aqaba in Mina. The flow of pilgrims started early Friday morning and continued till late in the evening.
“We are thankful to Almighty Allah that the first day passed off smoothly and our security forces ensured that there is no crowding at any point at Jamrat Bridge,” said Khalid Al-Zahrani, a National Guard official keeping vigil at the bridge.
“The arrangements were excellent and great care was taken to avoid the massing of pilgrims on the Jamrat Bridge, which has been a scene of tragedy on numerous occasions in the past,” said Mehbooba Mufti, a leading politician from Indian Kashmir.
A large security force monitored worshippers heading for the stoning after slaughtering sheep in a ritual for Eid Al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) that recalls Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son on God’s order.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah appreciated the services offered by various security wings for the pilgrims. He was addressing the princes, scholars, guests from the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, Cabinet ministers and commanders of various security forces at a reception in the royal court in Mina.
Commending the sacrifices of the security forces, the king said: “The deep sense of pride I and your people feel about you does not come from void because you are the shield of the country after Almighty Allah and you have been striving to raise the country’s banner against the enemies who were deceived by their own evil motivations.”
“Self-defenders do not have many options — an honorable victory or martyrdom,” the king stressed.
In his speech, the king issued a warning to those who harbor evil designs against the country, “Those who think that the sovereignty and security of the country could be a facile target for enemies with sickly notions will realize that they are under an illusion. Those who committed injustice will know that they will be paid in kind. Just as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not approve injustice to others, it also will not allow any one to defile even an inch of its land.”
Interior Ministry Gen. Mansour Al-Turki told a press conference in Mina Friday night that there had been no incident involving extremists or miscreants.
“No one was arrested,” he said when asked about concerns regarding the possibility of protests by Iranian pilgrims.
He said that nothing happened to mar the smooth pilgrimage and added that except for some violations concerning residence regulations, there were no security lapses. The spokesman admitted that pilgrims had to face some difficulties while going to Arafat.
“The pilgrims were able to go to Arafat and come down to Muzdalifah according to plans,” he said.
——Agencies