Summary Pilgrims, dressed in the Ihram, angrily hurled stones at concrete pillars representing the devil.
MINA (Online) - Hundreds of thousands of Muslims converged on the Mina valley in Saudi Arabia Tuesday to participate in a symbolic stoning of the devil, the final stage of the Hajj pilgrimage.
As Muslims around the world celebrated the first day of Eid al-Azha, the pilgrims, dressed in the Ihram, angrily hurled stones at concrete pillars representing the devil.
Although reduced in numbers by half from last year s 3.2 million, the faithful moved to the Mina valley, just outside the Holy city of Makkah, into a vast sea of tents.
Some of the 1.5 million pilgrims performing this year s Hajj - arriving from 188 countries - began the ritual early in the morning.
The stoning rituals continue until Friday but pilgrims in a hurry can complete it a day early.
The ritual is an emulation of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) stoning of the devil at three spots where he is said to have appeared trying to dissuade the biblical patriarch from obeying God s order to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ishmael (A.S).
After flocking to Mount Arafat on Monday for prayers and reflection, pilgrims travelled on to nearby Muzdalifa to collect stones and to stay the night.
Early Tuesday they continued to move to Mina in groups, with leaders carrying their countries flags and banners.
The stoning of the devil used to mark the most dangerous phase of Hajj for Saudi authorities as it had been marred by deadly stampedes in the past as well as fires in tent camps.
In past years, however, fire-proof tents have provided while cooking has been banned in the camps. The stoning area has been expanded to avoid overcrowding.
Saudi Arabia this year slashed the numbers of pilgrims from abroad by 21 percent and reduced the number of permits for domestic pilgrims by more than half.
The kingdom cut the quotas over fears of infections from the MERS respiratory virus and because of massive projects to expand the capacity of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
