Millions of Muslim pilgrims, among them 22,320 Malaysians, today thronged the multi-storey complex built specially for the ‘stoning of the devil’ (Jamarat) in Mina.   

The symbolic ritual began with the stoning of Jamarat Aqabah and it was carried out one day after the pilgrims held the ‘wukuf’ contemplation in Arafah and passing the night at Muzdalifah.

Also taking part in the stoning ritual were Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom, Tabung Haji (TH) chief executive officer Ismee Ismail and TH Haj delegation head Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman.

Earlier, Jamil Khir told reporters the transportation of Malaysian pilgrims from Muzdalifah to Mina proceeded smoothly and was even better compared to previous years. The last bus reached Mina at 6am yesterday.

“This year, all the pilgrims were in Mina before noon and this is an achievement of the haj management by the Saudi Arabian government,” he said.

He said that so far 10 Malaysian pilgrims had died, with the latest being Zolkisfali Wahab, 57, from Alor Setar, Kedah, who died at the Aziziah Treatment Centre at 6.50pm yesterday of digestive problems.  

Two Malaysian pilgrims were also reported to be in critical condition at the Saudi Arabian Government Hospital and they did not take part in the wukuf.  

Jamil Khir said TH would arrange for the two pilgrims to perform their haj sometime in the future once they had recovered.

- Bernama