Pilgrims reach Mina this morning

Mina, Saudi Arabia, December 08 , SPA -- At sunrise this morning,
the tenth day of Dhu-Al hijjah, millions of happy and cheering
pilgrims reached Mina from Muzdalifah in groups and as individuals on
foot and by vehicles, Acclaiming "At thy service, my Allah, at thy service."

They continued
to recite intonations and praise of Allah Al-mighty, who graced them
to ascend the mount of Arafat yesterday, the most important
cornerstone of Hajj.


The pilgrims had spent their night in "Muzdalifah" under the
blessings of Allah, and the integrated services rendered by their
Saudi brothers who are sons of this blessed country which is proud
to serve the Guests of Allah, the Two Holy Mosques and the Islamic
Nation in every place under the leadership of the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown
Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of
Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.


The King and Crown Prince have personally overseen all stages of the
pilgrims' movements at the holy places and issued directives to the
concerned Hajj authorities to provide the highest level of services
to the pilgrims in order to ease their Hajj rituals in comfort and
security.

Plans have been drawn up by all sectors concerned with Hajj works and
service. In this context, security sectors have been successful for
this year's Hajj by Allah's grace and the personal follow-up of
Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister and Chairman of the
Supreme Hajj Committee and Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the Governor of
Makkah and the Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee.


Upon their arrival in Mina, the pilgrims began throwing pebbles at
the 'Big Jamarat' in line with the Sunnah of Prophet (PBUH).

The pilgrims, then, proceeded to slaughter the ordained sacrifice.
After this rite, the pilgrims shaved their heads, and returned back
to Makkah for the circumbulation rite of "Kaaba" as well as
performing 'Saie' walking and running between the hills of Al-Safa

SPA's mission in the Hoy Places has spotted the presence of a great
number of delegates of Arab, Islamic and international information
media organs, who have been very active in covering comprehensively
this year's Hajj and the performance of its various rituals.


It also witnessed the smooth and easy movements of pilgrims despite
their huge numbers and also the number of a large number of vehicles.


Thanks to Allah Almighty and thanks to the spacious roads and the
modern transport means as well as the qualified traffic personnel,
the traffic plan turned out to be a successful one.


On their part, the Scout cadets are working day and night to
organize the traffic movement and to guide the pilgrims and to ensure
their safety.


The helicopters were over-flying to follow up the movement of the
pilgrims.


All required services including fresh water and enough quantities of
foodstuffs are readily available to the pilgrims.


The centers of the civil defense are spread along the roads and are
located at the Holy Places.