‘Express’ Hajj Pilgrims Prepare to Depart Mina

In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)
In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)
TT
20

‘Express’ Hajj Pilgrims Prepare to Depart Mina

In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)
In this handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on June 29, 2023, Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha that ends the Hajj pilgrimage. (SPA/AFP)

The majority of Hajj pilgrims will prepare on Friday to depart the holy city of Makkah on the third day of Eid al-Adha and on the second day of Tashreeq, in what is known as the “day of haste”.

On the first day of Tashreeq, pilgrims cast stones at pillars representing the devil.

This year's pilgrimage was the first in three years to be held without coronavirus restrictions and drew over 1.8 million Muslims from all corners of the Earth.

This year the Hajj was held in intense heat, with daytime temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Saudi Health Ministry said it had treated over 1,700 cases of heat exhaustion or heat stroke on Thursday alone, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pilgrimage to over 8,400.

Mohammad Al-Abdel Ali, a Health Ministry spokesman, said Wednesday that some 4,000 pilgrims had been hospitalized.

The Health Ministry warned pilgrims to carry umbrellas and avoid direct sunlight at all times, and to drink plenty of water. Tens of thousands of health workers have been mobilized for the pilgrimage, and water and free drinks were being handed out to the pilgrims.

Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif inspected on Thursday the operation of the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah and the health services being provided to the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance managed to send over 17 million text messages of awareness to the pilgrims in ten different languages since the beginning of the Hajj.

The texts aim to raise awareness about the Hajj and Umrah rituals, introduce pilgrims to telephone and library services, and stress the need to abide by the state’s rules and regulations to ensure their safety.



Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a comprehensive guide containing instructions and guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims and facilitating the performance of this year’s Hajj with ease, safety, and tranquility.

The guide includes directions on how to reach the Grand Mosque in Makkah and explains the designated pedestrian pathways leading to the areas for circumambulation (Tawaf) and walking between Safa and Marwah (Sa’i).

It highlights peak times at the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, offers vehicle usage guidelines during the Hajj, and outlines instructions for managing pedestrian movement and crowd control.

These include adherence to scheduled group timings for Tawaf, Sa’i, and the stoning of the Jamarat across all stages of the Hajj.

The guide also features various safety and security tips to ensure the smooth performance of rituals and provides information on Hajj regulations, particularly the “No Hajj Without a Permit” rule and the fines for violations.

The ministry urged all individuals to comply with Hajj regulations, which are designed to safeguard the well-being of pilgrims and ensure a smooth Hajj. It also encouraged the public to report violations by contacting the authorities through dedicated hotlines.