Sunday, December 31, 2006

4th Day of Hajj - Jamaraat

Today we do the stoning ritual again - this time all 3 of the pillars. After breakfast, we rested and explored the camp. The campsite is home to more than 3 million pilgrims with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Our camp was next to some pilgrims from France and other European countries.

Fruits was readily available. The fruit is fresh and juicy. The Saudis are big on fruit juice - boxes, bottles, cans - all kinds - orange, mango, strawberry, cherry, pineapple, apple, guava.

We set out after salaatul Asr to do the stoning. There were literally thousands of pilgrims on their way to the Jamaraat as well. Sometimes the crowd becomes so dense that it comes to a standstill - shoulder to shoulder - advancing only one small step at a time. We passed thru 2 tunnels carved through hugh mountains - one of them easily about 3/4 of a mile long.




This is a pedestrian only road that is used only during the days of Hajj. We walk for about an hour and eventually made to the Jamaraat. The crowd was hugh - people everywhere - in front of us, behind us, to the right and to the left.




The pelting was uneventful - no stampedes.

The Saudi Authorities have completely demolished the old Jamaraat and are in the process of rebuilding it to better accommodate the pilgrims. I am told that there will be 5 levels when it is completed with separate entrances and exits.



We sent back to the camp site - another hour's walk - and rested and had dinner.

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