Mina: A Living Symbol of Hajj Devotion and Transformation

📷SPA

Mina, June 4, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Mina stands as one of the most revered sacred sites of Hajj, deeply embedded in Islamic history and spirituality. This valley, a witness to continuous worship since the time of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), remains central to the rituals performed by millions of pilgrims each year.

Situated between Makkah and Muzdalifah, approximately seven kilometers from the Grand Mosque, Mina is encircled by mountains and comes alive during the Days of Tashreeq. Pilgrims spend the nights here, performing key rituals such as the stoning of the Jamarat, animal sacrifice, and shaving or trimming of hair.

Mina’s spatial identity is shaped both by its natural geography and by the acts of devotion performed on its land. Today, rows of modern white tents define the valley. Designed with advanced safety and comfort standards, these permanent fire- and heat-resistant fiberglass tents cover nearly 2.5 million square meters and accommodate millions of pilgrims in an organized and secure environment.

Historically, Mina’s tents were temporary cloth structures lacking basic amenities. The transformation of Mina into a fully functioning temporary city now includes over 100,000 permanent tents, supported by integrated healthcare, security, and logistical services.

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At the heart of Mina’s infrastructure is the Jamarat Bridge—a 950-meter-long, 80-meter-wide, multi-level structure capable of handling over 300,000 pilgrims per hour. The bridge facilitates safe crowd movement with multiple entry and exit points, escalators, emergency corridors, and AI-powered surveillance systems to monitor crowd density in real time. It also houses first aid stations, civil defense units, shaded rest areas, and cooling canopies.

Nearby, Al-Khayf Mosque has been enhanced under the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, as part of broader efforts to improve services at the holy sites.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, continues to invest in the development of Hajj infrastructure. These efforts include expanding transportation networks, enhancing accommodation systems, and deploying smart technologies to ensure pilgrims can perform their rituals safely and with ease.

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Such initiatives are aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to further elevate the Hajj experience and enable pilgrims to perform their religious duties with tranquility and comfort.

Mina remains a sacred space where the meanings of sacrifice, devotion, and obedience come to life—etched into the collective memory of the Islamic nation as a place of reverence and peace during the most sacred days of the year.

📷SPA