Around two million pilgrims from around the world started to move to Muzdalifah after gathering at Mount Arafat on Tuesday, where they stood in prayers from noon until sunset on one of the most important days of the Islamic calendar.
In Muzdalifah, which is located between Mina and Arafat, the pilgrims will collect pebbles, to be used the following day to hurl at three large walls representing Satan at al-Jamarat Bridge, between Makka (Mecca) and Mina.
The symbolic “stoning of the devil” is followed by the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a lamb.
During the remaining three days of the hajj, the pilgrims continue the stoning ritual before performing the circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba in Mecca and heading home.
