In the scorching summer heat of Saudi Arabia, masses of pilgrims embarked on the symbolic stoning of the devil on Sunday, marking the final days of the Hajj pilgrimage and the start of Eid al-Adha celebrations for Muslims worldwide. The stoning ritual is one of the final rites of the Hajj, which is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

The pilgrimage began with over 1.8 million pilgrims congregating at Mount Ararat, outside the holy city of Mecca, to perform the rituals over a five-day period. However, the extreme heat took its toll, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of fourteen Jordanian pilgrims from sunstroke. Jordan's Foreign Ministry coordinated with Saudi authorities to bury the deceased in Saudi Arabia or transfer them back to Jordan.

After leaving Mount Arafat on Saturday evening, the pilgrims spent the night in Muzdalifa, collecting pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil at the pillars in Mina. Mina holds significance as the place where Muslims believe Ibrahim's faith was tested when God commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail, but then stayed his hand.

On Sunday morning, amidst temperatures reaching 47°C (116.6°F) in Mecca and 46°C (114.8°F) in Mina, the pilgrims made their way to the stoning areas. Many pilgrims were seen pushing disabled fellow pilgrims on wheelchairs along the multi-lane road to the pillars, while others sought shade under umbrellas. Unfortunately, the heat proved too much for some, with elderly pilgrims collapsing on the roads. Security forces and medics were deployed to provide aid and transport those who fainted to ambulances or field hospitals.

Despite the overwhelming heat, many pilgrims expressed their joy at being able to complete the Hajj pilgrimage. Abdel-Moaty Abu Ghoneima, an Egyptian pilgrim, expressed gratitude, stating, "Thank God, (the process) was joyful and good."

During the remaining days in Mina, pilgrims will cast seven pebbles at three pillars, symbolizing the casting away of evil and sin. Additionally, they will visit Mecca to perform the circumambulation, known as "tawaf," around the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque.

The Hajj rituals coincide with the four-day Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Feast of Sacrifice," during which Muslims with financial means commemorate Ibrahim's test of faith by slaughtering livestock and distributing the meat to the less fortunate. While most countries celebrated Eid al-Adha on Sunday, others, like Indonesia, will observe it on Monday.

Once the Hajj pilgrimage concludes, men are expected to shave their heads and remove the white garments worn during the pilgrimage, while women snip a lock of hair as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. Many pilgrims will then make their way to Medina, approximately 340 kilometers (210 miles) away, to pray at Prophet Muhammad's tomb within the Sacred Chamber.

The Hajj is a mandatory pilgrimage for all physically and financially able Muslims, with most performing it at least once in their lifetime. The rituals primarily honor the accounts of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail, Prophet Muhammad, and Ismail's mother Hajar, as recorded in the Quran.

This year's Hajj took place amidst the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war, which has brought the Middle East to the brink of a regional conflict. Palestinians from Gaza were unable to participate in the Hajj due to the closure of the Rafah crossing since May. Instead, they held prayers in damaged mosques and schools, surrounded by the rubble of demolished buildings.

In other parts of the Muslim world, such as Yemen's capital Sanaa and Iraq's capital Baghdad, Muslims prayed and celebrated Eid while expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza. In Lebanon, visitors paid tribute to their loved ones buried in the Palestine Martyrs Cemetery, maintaining the annual tradition on the first day of Eid.

Despite the challenging circumstances and intense heat, the Hajj pilgrims demonstrated resilience and determination in completing their sacred rituals, finding solace in their faith and the significance of the journey they undertook.