As the Haj continues on Sunday with the stoning of Satan, this year's religious pilgrim drew 2.9 million Muslims from around the world, 1.828 million are from outside the Saudi kingdom, said the Saudi Statistics and Information Institution. The numbers do not include those who volunteer from outside the kingdom and come to Saudi Arabia and assist in the pilgrimage in exchange for participating. The ritual stoning takes place in the desert valley of Mina and commemorates Abraham's stoning of the devil, who is said to have appeared three times to the prophet in an attempt to tempt him. It is one of the most dangerous stages of the hajj, with the press of people around the pillars creating the risk of a stampede. According to reports, in 2004, 244 people were killed, and the following year at least 360 others were killed when several pilgrims tripped over baggage while others behind them kept pushing ahead. Saudi authorities subsequently built the current complex to reduce the stampede danger, the AP reported. 110,000 people from Egypt are expected to start heading back home after the Hajj is finished. Cairo International Airport announced it was going on “full alert” to accommodate and facilitate the arrival of Egyptian pilgrims returning home. BM
