Haj pilgrims reach Mina for stoning ritual

Mina - Pilgrims threw pebbles they had gathered in nearby Muzdalifah on Sunday evening at walls representing the devil.

Muslim pilgrims reached Mina on Monday for the ritual stoning of the devil, the last major rite of the annual Haj and the scene of a devastating stampede last year.
The bridge is multi-storey to accommodate the huge number of pilgrims - more than 1.8 million this year.
Pilgrims threw pebbles they had gathered in nearby Muzdalifah on Sunday evening at walls representing the devil.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, arrived in Mina on Sunday to ensure the pilgrims can "perform their rituals easily, conveniently and safely", the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was also briefed on preparations for the safe movement of pilgrims between Muzdalifah and Mina.
The stoning ritual is performed three times over the coming days.
The first comes at the start of Eid Al Adha, which is marked by more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.
Last year's stampede was the worst disaster in the pilgrimage's history.
Several new safety measures have been introduced this year.
Among these is the distribution of bracelets which store pilgrims' personal data. Roads have also been widened in the Jamarat area, newspapers reported.
Aerial photographs on Saudi television showed rivers of pilgrims flowing toward the Jamarat on multiple roads.
A security officer was shown monitoring the crowds on closed-circuit television screens.
Helicopters have been monitoring the flow of pilgrims, while police have been directing them on the ground to make sure there are no bottlenecks.
Pilgrims have told AFP they feel safe and have noticed organisational improvements.
"The Saudis organise everything for us. We are truly at ease here," Youssef Al Mehri, 24, from Oman said with a prayer rug slung over his shoulder.
The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, which capable Muslims must perform at least once, marking the spiritual peak of their lives.
The pilgrims come from every corner of the globe. Indonesia - the most populous Muslim nation - has the largest contingent.

• Saudi Arabia