Muslim Pilgrims 'Stone the Devil' in Mina

KOMPAS/ILHAM KHOIRI

Indonesian Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas reviews the preparations for the Hajj at Muzdalifah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday (6/7/2022).

MINA, KOMPAS — Indonesian pilgrims, along with 1 million pilgrims from other countries around the world, completed the jamarat (stoning) ritual at three stone monuments in Mina, Saudi Arabia. The jamarat started in the early hours of Saturday (9/7/2022) and continues until Monday or Tuesday (12/7). After that, the pilgrims perform the tawaf, sai, and tahalul.

Kompas was stationed at the Hajj Media Center (MCH) in Mina on Saturday and Sunday morning (10/7) as the pilgrims departed from their camp in Mina to the jamarat ritual site according to schedule. Some performed the ritual from midnight until early morning, while others from the afternoon to the evening. Indonesian pilgrims tended not to take the midday schedule to avoid hot weather.

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The pilgrims departed in groups according to their respective flights (kloter), carrying the Indonesian flag and a sign with their kloter number. From the camp, they walked in their alloted groups until they arrived at the jamarat site. On reaching the stone monuments, the pilgrims threw the stones they had collected earlier from the Muzdalifah area, praying as they threw the stones.

The pilgrims professed to feeling relieved that they were able to perform the jamarat.

"I feel happy to be able to perform jamarat. This symbolizes getting rid of any negative actions we have done," husband and wife Sugeng (50) and Mahmudah (44), from Madiun, East Java, told Kompas at the Aqabah monument.

The pilgrims seemed eager to perform this rite in the lanes between the tents, some until the early hours of the morning.

Back at their camp, the pilgrims performed tahalul, or shaving the head or cutting the hair. Some shaved their heads until they were completely bald. The activity was carried out in turns using an electric trimmer. The pilgrims seemed eager to perform this rite in the lanes between the tents, some until the early hours of the morning.

KOMPAS/NASRULLAH NARA

The atmosphere of the movement of the congregation from Muzdalifah to the place of throwing the jumrah in Mina.

"The more hair is cut away the better, like getting rid of sins, both big and small," said Johan Afendi (50), a pilgrim from Palembang, South Sumatra.

Smooth pilgrimage

So far, the pilgrimage has been proceeding well. After completing wukuf at Arafah on Friday evening (8/7), the pilgrims went to Muzdalifah to collect stones and to stay there awhile. They then headed to Mina to perform jamarat, starting from Saturday morning.

Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qouumas expressed gratitude at Amarat for the smooth process of organizing the hajj pilgrimage. Performing the ritual of jamarat was one of the most important points of the process, so that pilgrims could fulfill their obligations in comfort. The ministry had requested a safer time slot for Indonesian pilgrims.

"We chose to perform Aqabah Jumrah in the afternoon [on Saturday] because it was cooler. This effort was for the safety of the pilgrims," said Yaqut.

The minister also expressed appreciation for the hajj officers who worked to support the pilgrims. The number of fatalities and illnesses among the pilgrims were not high compared to the hajj season in previous years.

KOMPAS/NASRULLAH NARA

The target point scheme for the jumrah ejection is ula, wustho, and aqabah.

"The age limitation for pilgrims [65 years and below] may be a factor, as well as education and health services for pilgrims, which have been quick. If any symptoms of illness are detected, the pilgrim receives immediate treatment. This good [service] is maintained until the pilgrimage is completed," said Yaqut.

According to a report from the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI), until Sunday afternoon (10/7) Saudi Arabia time, a total of 35 Indonesian pilgrims had died of illness, especially heart problems. A total of 184 pilgrims had been treated, with 171 people treated at the KKHI in Mecca and 13 people at local hospitals.

According to Moh Khoeron, the head of the ministry’s Hajj Media Center, the death rate for pilgrims on day 37 of the 2022 hajj season was lower than the same period in previous years. The highest death rate was recorded in 2017 with 658 pilgrims, followed by 627 pilgrims in 2015.

"Apart from the 50 percent cut in the quota for pilgrims compared to previous years, the current death rate is significantly lower, at least until the 37th day," Khoeron said.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)