The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced a temporary restriction on the stone-throwing ritual during the hottest part of the day to protect pilgrims from extreme heat.
Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, made the announcement on Monday in Mina, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
He stated that pilgrims would be prohibited from accessing the Jamarat Bridge for the stone-throwing ritual between 11 am and 4 pm. This measure aims to prevent heat-related illnesses that could arise from the high temperatures typically experienced during these hours.
“To safeguard the health and well-being of our pilgrims, we are enforcing a ban on the stone-throwing ritual from 11 am to 4 pm,” Dr. Sulaiman explained.
Security personnel will be deployed to ensure compliance with this directive. They will be stationed at the camps to prevent any pilgrim from attempting the ritual before 4 pm. The Office of Hajj Affairs and various service providers have been instructed to adhere strictly to this new regulation. Any breaches of the rule will result in accountability measures for those responsible.
“We seek Allah’s protection for all our pilgrims and pray for the acceptance of their Hajj,” Dr. Sulaiman added.