Children join Muslim pilgrims in stoning Satan ceremony

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2007

MINA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Perched on their fathers' shoulders, children joined the almost 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims thronging the Saudi holy city of Mina on Thursday to cast their stones at Satan.

Worshippers, many dressed in the traditional white religious robes, filled the roads as they edged their way towards the sacred Jamarat Bridge to hurl rocks at the three pillars which symbolise the devil.

According to the figures given by the Saudi authorities a total of 2,454,325 pilgrims, including 1,707,814 from outside the kingdom, are performing the pilgrimage this year from 181 nations.

The walls are traditionally believed to be the place where the devil appeared to Abraham, his wife Hagar and son Ishmael.

After the stoning, the pilgrims celebrate...