President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt has commended Saudi authorities for the excellent organisation of the ongoing 2024 Hajj rite.
El-Sisi, who is one of the pilgrims that performed the exercise, gave the commendation on his verified official social media account, on Sunday.
He also applauded the services provided to millions of pilgrims, catering to all their needs, security and safety.
“I extend my sincere thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince – for the warm welcome in Saudi Arabia on the occasion of performing this year’s Hajj.”
A Nigerian pilgrim from Sokoto, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, 33, also commended Saudi Arabia for effective crowds control.
“Imagine a gathering of over 1.5 million people from around the world; the authority in Saudi was able to manage the movement of people peacefully, from one point to another.”
On the lesson he learned as a pilgrim, Abubakar said Hajj symbolises the equality of all Muslims, regardless of their personality and irrespective of their status.
“Just take a second look at this tent where we are, you will see high profile personalities that ordinarily in Nigeria, I can’t even think of going close to them.
“But here we are, sharing almost the same mattress and pillows without any social segregation or discrimination. This has truly affirmed that a Muslim is a brother of his fellow Muslim.
“May Allah continue to guide our leaders in Nigeria and give them the ability to deliver on their campaign promises.”
The crowds of pilgrims are moving on foot to the stoning areas.
Some were seen pushing disabled pilgrims on wheelchairs on a multi-lane road leading to the complex housing the large pillars.
Most pilgrims were seen carrying umbrellas to protect themselves against the burning summer sun.
After reaching Mina, the pilgrims performed stoning at Jamarat (biggest pillar symbolising Satan), following the ‘Sunnah’ of the Prophet.
They used seven pebbles for the stoning ritual. The pilgrims’ movement to hurl pebbles at Jamrat was smooth, orderly and flexible on the floors of the giant Jamarat bridge complex with all the precautionary measures in place.