The 2025 Hajj rites formally ended on Sunday as pilgrims began leaving the tent city of Muna for their hotels in Makkah, bringing to a close a spiritual journey that spanned several days of intense worship, prayer, and reflection.
The symbolic stoning of the devil at the Jamarat, conducted for the final time on the third day of Eid al-Adha, marked the end of the core Hajj rituals. This rite, which involves throwing pebbles at three stone pillars in Mina, commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) rejection of Satan’s temptations.
While the stoning marks the conclusion for most, some pilgrims are expected to remain in Makkah to complete the Tawaf al-Ifadah — the circumambulation of the Kaaba — which can be delayed under Islamic guidelines. This rite is essential for the completion of Hajj.
Muna, located a few kilometers from the Grand Mosque in Makkah, had hosted millions of pilgrims in thousands of air-conditioned tents, making it one of the largest temporary settlements in the world during the five days of Hajj.
Saudi authorities described this year’s pilgrimage as largely smooth and orderly, with security, health, and transportation services operating efficiently despite the huge crowds.
Pilgrims expressed gratitude for a successful Hajj, many describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey.
“I feel renewed and spiritually fulfilled,” said Amina Yusuf, a Nigerian pilgrim. “Standing at Arafat, spending the night in Muzdalifah, and completing the stoning rites at Mina are experiences I will cherish forever.”
As pilgrims continue to return to their hotels in Makkah and prepare for their journey home, the Saudi authorities have begun gradual operations to manage the post-Hajj crowd movement from the holy sites.
The 2025 Hajj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, brought together Muslims from over 160 countries in a display of unity, faith, and devotion.
