Muslims mark Eid al-Adha and final days of hajj in Mecca

Muslims around the world marked the start of the Eid al-Adha celebrations on Sunday as some 2.5 million pilgrims took part in the final days of hajj.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

11 August, 2019

Muslims around the world marked the start of the Eid al-Adha celebrations [Anadolu]

Close to 2.5 million pilgrims took part in a symbolic stoning of the devil in the final days of the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as Muslims around the world marked the start of the Eid al-Adha celebrations.

In Mina, pilgrims spend the final days of hajj throwing pebbles at a pillar in a symbolic casting away of evil.

The massive tent city of Mina is where the deadliest hajj disasters have occurred, including a 2015 stampede and crush that killed more than 2,400 people.

To mark the completion of the hajj, male pilgrims shaved their hair and women trimmed theirs on Saturday to represent a spiritual renewal and rebirth.

Muslims believe the hajj offers the chance of atonement and an opportunity to erase past sins. The first two days of the hajj are spent in Mecca and other areas around it in deep prayer, contemplation and worship.

Muslims around the world are commemorating the end of hajj with Eid celebrations, including distributing meat to the poor.

Follow us on Twitter: @The_NewArab