Pilgrims began heading back to Mina to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing stones at the three pillars on the third day of their Hajj pilgrimage and first day of Eidul Adha on Thursday.

Pilgrims spent the previous night camping out in the open Muzdalifah where they collected pebbles.

Devil stoning ritual is an emulation of Prophet Ibrahim’s stoning of the devil at the three spots where he is said to have appeared trying to dissuade him from obeying God’s order to sacrifice his son, Ismael.

The hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform it at least once in a lifetime

Source: MENA