Saudi Gazette report

MINA — A large number of pilgrims bid farewell to the Holy Kaaba at the end of their spiritual journey of a lifetime. They broke down in tears of joy when they completed Tawaf Al-Wida (farewell tawaf), which is the last ritual of the annual Hajj. Their eyes welled up as they made final glances at Islam’s holiest place of worship before bidding farewell to the holy city of Makkah.

They praised Almighty God for giving them the blessed opportunity to perform Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. They thanked the Saudi government, headed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, for the elaborate arrangements and services that enabled them to perform the rituals with ease and comfort.

The Grand Mosque in Makkah received several batches of pilgrims who arrived from Mina to perform the farewell tawaf before heading to visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah or to their home countries.

The pilgrims, especially those who are in a rush, are free to leave Mina for Makkah before sunset on the second of the tashriq days which was Friday this year. Those who do not leave before sunset are required to stay in Mina the next day and perform the stoning ritual.

The pilgrims who will stay back in Mina on Friday night will leave the tent city after completing the stoning ritual on Saturday, marking the official end of the annual pilgrimage.