The last ritual, “Great Jamara” – in which pilgrims throw seven stones at a wall representing Satan – is intended to remind Muslims of the devil’s constant efforts to lead the faithful astray.
This year, vastly smaller numbers of pilgrims due to the coronavirus pandemic put that goal out of reach for most Muslims.
Considered the fifth “pillar” of Islam, the Hajj is intended to demonstrate the solidarity of the Muslim people and their submission to Allah.
The pilgrimage takes place every year from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar.
On these five days, Muslim pilgrims converge on Mecca, where they circumambulate the Kaaba seven times; run between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah; drink water from the sacred Well of Zamzam; stand vigil on the plains of Mt. Arafat; and, finally, throw stones at the devil.
Pilgrims then cut their hair and sacrifice an animal – meat from which is traditionally distributed to the poor – before celebrating the Eid al-Adha, or feast of the sacrifice, which began on Friday.
After the Hajj, pilgrims will be subject to home quarantine.
Last year, around 2.4 million pilgrims did the Hajj, according to official estimates.
Saudi Arabia has so far registered 274,219 COVID-19 infections, including 2,842 deaths, and 231,198 recoveries.