ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hajj Mission Makkah has advised the country’s pilgrims to follow the directives issued by Saudi Arabia concerning the stoning of the devil or “Rami Al-Jamarat’ and animal sacrifice rituals during the annual Islamic pilgrimage, state-run media reported on Monday.
Hajj pilgrims take part in the symbolic stoning of the devil, which is among the final rites of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims throw pebbles at three pillars in Mina, performing the ritual during the three days of the Hajj starting on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that each Maktab will have designated timings for the act of stoning the devil on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
“Every ‘Nazim’ [administrator] is bound to ensure that the intending pilgrims perform this ritual as per their allocated time slot,” Radio Pakistan said. “Therefore, all pilgrims are advised to proceed in groups under the supervision of their ‘Nazim’ as per schedule.”
The state broadcaster also reported that the Saudi authorities have set the time for sacrificing animals for Pakistani Hujjaj on the night between the 10th and 11th of Dhul Hijjah at 12:30 am.
“Hence, all pilgrims are urged to complete the ‘Rami’ of the first day before midnight,” it said. “Pakistani Mission has strongly urged the Hujjaj to strictly follow these instructions to avoid any untoward situation.”
During the Hajj pilgrimage, which concludes this year on Monday, June 9, pilgrims are required to sacrifice an animal.
Nearly 89,000 Pakistanis have traveled to Saudi Arabia under the government’s Hajj scheme and over 23,620 Pakistanis are performing the Hajj through private tour operators.
