1.6 Million Hajj Pilgrims Converge on Mina, the World’s Largest Tent City
As the annual Hajj pilgrimage enters its final and most symbolic stages, the once-quiet valley of Mina, just outside Makkah, has transformed into the world’s largest temporary settlement — sheltering nearly 2 million pilgrims in over 100,000 air-conditioned tents. Mina, known as the “City of Tents,” spans 20 square kilometers and is now buzzing with spiritual energy as pilgrims return from Arafat to perform the stoning of the Jamarat (Rami) — a powerful ritual that reenacts Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) rejection of the devil. “It’s a deeply moving moment,” said a Hajj official at the Jamarat Bridge. “Pilgrims throw pebbles at three stone pillars, recalling how Ibrahim stoned Shaytaan after he tried to dissuade him from obeying Allah’s command.” That divine command — to sacrifice his son — came to Ibrahim in a dream in Mina, where Allah later intervened with a ram, marking the origins of Qurbani, the ritual sacrifice that follows Rami. Pilgrims will offer their sacrifices over the coming day as part of Eid al-Adha celebrations. Mina also holds historic and Quranic significance. It was the site of the pledges of Al-Aqabah, where the Ansar pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the revelation of Surah Al-Mursalaat. Authorities have ramped up fire safety measures following tragic fires in the 1900s. After a major blaze in 1997, traditional cotton tents were replaced with Teflon-coated, fire-resistant fiberglass structures, each fitted with sprinklers, electric outlets, multilingual signs, and security fencing. Massive water tanks — with a 200,000 cubic meter capacity — remain on standby. Pilgrims in Mina spend their nights in worship, prayer, Dhikr, and reflection — a display of unity and submission rarely seen on this scale. “Mina teaches us patience and humility,” said Abdul Karim, a pilgrim from Indonesia. “In these tents, we are all equal — rich or poor, young or old — connected by our faith.” The pilgrimage continues tomorrow as pilgrims perform the second day of Rami, marking the final leg of Hajj.
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