Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on Sunday moved from Makkah to Mina, where they will spend the day and night, in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Today, the eighth of the lunar month Zu-l-Hijja, is called the Tarwia (watering) day. In former times, the pilgrims would fill their skins with water on the Tarwia day, in preparation for moving to Arafat the following day. Arafat day, the ninth of Zu-l-Hijjah, will take place on Monday, 10 February: this is the most important of the Hajj rituals.
Thanks to the excellent arrangements made by the relevant Saudi authorities, the pilgrims, in spite of their large numbers, were able to move to Mina with ease. The holy sites include an excellent network of highways, in addition to tunnels, flyovers and pedestrian lanes. Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister and Head of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdel-Majeed bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Makkah region and Head of the Central Hajj Committee, and other officials carefully followed up the movement of pilgrims from Makkah to Mina. The security forces and traffic officials facilitated the safe progress of the pilgrims.
All of the necessary facilities and services, including the medical services, are available at Mina. The Ministry of Health, and the Medical Services Administration at the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the internal Security Forces, and the Saudi Red Crescent Society have established hospitals and health centres, including centres for treatment of cases of sunstroke and heat exhaustion.
The Saudi Telecommunications Company has set up telephone booths and postal, telegraph and telex centres to enable pilgrims to contact their relatives. Food materials and fresh water are available in Mina in ample quantities.
Source: SPA
