Jamrat

Jamrat is the Arabic term for one of the three stone pillars used in the Islamic pilgrimage ritual known as the Stoning of the Devil, performed during Hajj in Mina near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The singular jamrah is often translated as “pebble,” and the three pillars together are referred to as the Jamarat. The ritual commemorates Abraham’s rejection of Satan and is a key component of Hajj for pilgrims from around the world.

The three pillars are named Jamrat al-Ula (the first and smallest), Jamrat al-Wusta (the middle), and Jamrat al-Aqaba (the last and largest). Pilgrims traditionally throw seven pebbles at each jamrah in a sequence that moves from Ula to Aqaba, as part of the rite performed on the days of Dhul Hijjah. The act symbolizes repudiation of temptation and steadfastness in faith.

Location and structure: The Jamarat are located in Mina and are part of a dedicated complex that includes the Jamarat Bridge, designed to manage large crowds. Over the years, the installations have been rebuilt and expanded, with modern multi-level designs to improve safety and flow during the stoning ritual.

Safety and history: The Jamrat sites have periodically been the focus of crowd-control challenges, leading to infrastructural improvements and stricter crowd-management measures by Saudi authorities. The ritual remains a central, highly organized aspect of Hajj, observed by millions of pilgrims each year.