Saudi Gazette report

MINA – Nearly half of around 900,000 pilgrims, who stayed back in Mina Monday night to perform the stoning ritual for the fourth consecutive day, threw pebbles at three Jamarat on Tuesday afternoon.

They then left Mina for Makkah to perform Tawaful Wida (farewell circumambulation), marking the end of the annual pilgrimage on a sound and joyous note.

The pilgrims hurled seven pebbles each, first at Jamarat Al-Sugra, then at Jamarat Al-Wusta, and finally at Jamarat Al-Aqaba in a calm and peaceful atmosphere inside the sprawling Jamarat Complex manned by a contingent of security forces, health workers and volunteers.

A large number of pilgrims, who did not complete their visit of Prophet’s Mosque, have left for Madinah after performing Tawaf Al-Wida on Monday and Tuesday before leaving for their destinations in various parts of the Kingdom as well as to foreign countries.

The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) confirmed its readiness to facilitate the departure procedures of the pilgrims via the Kingdom’s airports, sea ports and land entry points. The Jawazat said that it has mobilized all its human and technical resources and capabilities to complete the departure procedures in ease and comfort.

Although Hajj concludes officially on Tuesday, the third day of Tashreeq, pilgrims were allowed to hasten to complete it the previous day. Half of the pilgrims of this year’s Hajj took advantage of the concession to leave a day earlier on Monday in line with the pilgrims’ grouping plan, formulated by the Saudi authorities.

The Saudi authorities have won accolades from within the Kingdom as well as from the Arab and Islamic world for their great efforts in making this year’s Hajj pilgrimage hassle-free and a resounding success. Many Arab and Islamic countries and organizations hailed the Saudi leadership and people for their great efforts that culminated in the success of the Hajj.