Hajj Pilgrims Endure Heat to Stone Devil, Amid Rising Costs

Muslim pilgrims at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia braved intense heat, with temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit), to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. Using pebbles collected the night before, the pilgrims reenacted the story of Prophet Ibrahim by casting stones at three pillars representing the devil. The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious experience that brings Muslims closer to God and fellow believers. This year's Hajj is the first to be held without COVID-19 restrictions since 2020, with around 1.8 million pilgrims participating, fewer than in previous years.