Muslims stoned the devil yesterday in the climactic ceremony of a haj pilgrimage. From dawn, crowds of pilgrims gathered in the valley of Mina, southeast of the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, to throw pebbles at concrete pillars symbolising the devil.
The pilgrims have been contending with searing desert heat as they perform the days-long, mostly outdoor rituals, with temperatures reaching 44C in Makkah and Mina yesterday.
Saudi authorities ramped up anti-heat measures including giant fans, mist sprayers, cooled floors and trucks distributing drinking water.
More than 1.7mn people are taking part in the haj this year, slightly up from 2025 despite the Middle East war.
Despite the physical challenges, many were overjoyed to complete the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means to do so.
"I can't believe I've finished the haj rituals," Iraqi pilgrim Adnan Hamad, 58, told AFP, as his daughters looked on.
"Every step was enjoyable despite the extreme hardship."
On Tuesday, pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) delivered his last sermon.
They then spent the night under the stars at Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they collected pebbles for the stoning.
After this ceremony, the pilgrims return to Makkak for a last circumambulation of the Holy Ka'aba.
The haj's last day is also the start of Eid al-Adha.