Today's Edition
MAKKAH (AFP)
Thousands of pilgrims began to leave the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia on Friday after having completed the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
This year more than 1.7 million people from 165 countries took part in one of the world's largest religious gatherings.
"I can't believe I completed Hajj," said Ahmed Mamdouh, a 37-year-old Egyptian who performed the pilgrimage for the first time.
Fighting back tears, he added: "I am very happy that I completed the rituals safely. Hajj is truly exhausting, especially in such hot weather."
Algerian pilgrim Al-Zaoui, 74, wrapped his arm around his wife and said, "It was our dream to perform Hajj together. Now that dream has come true after 50 years of marriage."
On Friday, pilgrims completed the third day of a stoning ritual in the valley of Mina, southeast of Makkah, during which they threw pebbles at concrete pillars symbolising the devil. They then boarded buses to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform the farewell "Tawaf" -- walking seven times around the Kaaba.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means to do so. It involves a series of mostly outdoor rituals over several days and this year, it took place during intense heat.
Saudi authorities introduced heat-mitigation measures, including more shaded areas and thousands of extra health workers. The Saudi Red Crescent said Thursday it had provided emergency services to "more than 83,000 people since the beginning of the Hajj season".
