Pilgrims 'stone the devil'

This Haj season records the lowest number of pilgrims in over three decades, barring the years of Covid restrictions in 2020-2022

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Huge crowds of pilgrims "stoned the devil" in the last major ritual of the Haj pilgrimage, as Muslims around the globe celebrated the beginning of the Eid Al Adha holiday. Starting before dawn, 1.6 million-plus pilgrims began throwing stones at three giant concrete walls symbolising the devil at the Jamarat complex, near the holy city of Makkah.

Despite the throngs, the annual pilgrimage has seen its lowest numbers in decades and a range of new precautions after 1,301 people died in extreme heat last year. Temperatures hit 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) on Friday, still well below the high of 51.8C (125F) that caused major difficulties in 2024.

However, after three days of long treks in the summer sun, many pilgrims were clearly feeling the effects.

Walking back from the Jamarat, one Egyptian in a white veil told AFP: "I can't talk, the heat is killing me" as sweat trickled down her face.