Pilgrims 'stone the devil' as part of Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrims hurled stones at pillars in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (May 27) as they performed the symbolic "stoning of the devil" ritual, for the first day in this year’s annual hajj.

Pilgrims were seen throwing small pebbles at three stone structures, also known as the Jamarat (pillars), symbolising the stoning of Satan.

Iraqi pilgrim Omar Saleh said he had long wished to perform Hajj and thanked God for making it possible as he carried out the ritual.

The ritual of stoning, known as Jamarat, marks the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the feast of sacrifice, which is celebrated by Muslims across the globe.

The fifth pillar of Islam, hajj, is mandatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. It is considered one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.

Hajj begins in the 12th month of the Islamic year, which is lunar, not solar, meaning that hajj and the fasting month of Ramadan fall at different times of the solar calendar each year.

Production: Haider Kadhim, Imad Creidi/Reuters