Muslim pilgrims cast sanitised pebbles Tuesday as they took part in the "stoning of the devil", the last major ritual of this year's hajj which is again under tight coronavirus restrictions.

From first light, small groups of pilgrims made their way across the Valley of Mina near Mecca in western Saudi Arabia to symbolically "humiliate" the devil at the Jamrah al-Aqaba mosque.

Graphic on the annual hajj, downscaled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic
Graphic on the annual hajj, downscaled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic AFP / Gal ROMA

Wearing masks and the ihram, the pilgrim's seamless white garment, they each threw seven stones at a pillar symbolising Satan, taking them from sealed bags provided by the authorities.

"All my life I dreamt of going on the hajj, and I still can't believe that the dream has come true," 38-year-old Syrian pilgrim Lina told AFP, describing it as "the happiest day of my life".

A Muslim pilgrim throws pebbles at a wall symbolising the devil at the Jamrah al-Aqaba mosque outside Mecca in the last major ritual of this year's downsized hajj
A Muslim pilgrim throws pebbles at a wall symbolising the devil at the Jamrah al-Aqaba mosque outside Mecca in the last major ritual of this year's downsized hajj AFP / Fayez Nureldine

The stoning ritual has in past years led to deadly stampedes, as millions of participants converge on a tight space, but on Tuesday crowds were sparse and there was only a light security presence.

The pandemic has for a second year forced Saudi authorities to dramatically downsize the hajj and just 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents of the kingdom are taking part -- up from 10,000 last year.

Pilgrim numbers have been dramatically cut back for a second year in a row as Saudi Arabia battles new variants of the Covid virus
Pilgrim numbers have been dramatically cut back for a second year in a row as Saudi Arabia battles new variants of the Covid virus AFP / Fayez Nureldine

"From the beginning, our priority has been the safety of pilgrims, and for this reason we decided to limit their numbers to 60,000 to ensure that the precautions are enforced and everyone is safe," Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah told AFP.

"We are monitoring the situation continuously," he said late Monday, adding that not a single case of coronavirus had been detected so far among pilgrims.

IMAGES Mask-clad Muslim pilgrims throw pebbles as they "stone the devil" in the last major ritual of a scaled-back hajj due to coronavirus limits for a second year running.
IMAGES Mask-clad Muslim pilgrims throw pebbles as they "stone the devil" in the last major ritual of a scaled-back hajj due to coronavirus limits for a second year running. AFPTV / Rania SANJAR

The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims who have the means at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings, with 2.5 million taking part in 2019.

Water mist is sprayed to cool down pilgrims as they make their way around the Muslim holy places for the rituals of the hajj
Water mist is sprayed to cool down pilgrims as they make their way around the Muslim holy places for the rituals of the hajj AFP / Fayez Nureldine

Hosting the pilgrimage is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers, for whom the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites is their most powerful source of political legitimacy.

But barring overseas pilgrims has caused deep disappointment among Muslims worldwide, who typically save for years to take part.

"If we can guarantee that there will be full control (of Covid) and ensure the safety of pilgrims too, which is a priority for the kingdom and its leaders, the hajj can happen again in the future as it was before," the health minister said.

After the stoning ritual, pilgrims return to the Grand Mosque in Mecca to perform a final "tawaf" or circling of the Kaaba.

The Kaaba is a cubic structure that is the focal point of Islam and draped in a gold-embroidered black cloth.

State media said that an army of 3,500 workers was tasked with sterilising the Grand Mosque ten times a day to prevent any spread of infection.

This year's hajj is being held at a time when new variants of the virus are causing global concern. Saudi Arabia has recorded more than 510,000 cases of coronavirus including 8,089 deaths.

The participants were chosen in a lottery among 558,000 Saudi residents and nationals, who had to be between 18 and 65 years old, vaccinated and free of chronic diseases.

All the workers mobilised for the hajj have been fully vaccinated as well, authorities say.

The strict preventive measures "have enabled pilgrims to perform the hajj," he added.

Coronavirus