JOURNEY OF FAITH: RAMI AL-JAMARAT (2017)

In 2017, the Hajj pilgrimage saw over 2.35 million pilgrims gather in the valley of Mina to perform Rami al-Jamarat (the Stoning of the Devil). This year was particularly significant as it followed major safety overhauls by Saudi authorities in response to previous crowd tragedies.

Jamrah (Jamarat) in Arabic means Small Stone. Throwing the three Jamrah is included in the Manasik (Worship) of Hajj in Mina.

The ritual took place under intense conditions, with temperatures reaching 41°C (106°F), requiring security forces to spray water on pilgrims to prevent heat exhaustion.

Malaysian pilgrims were generally housed in the Muassasah tents in Mina. One of the advantages highlighted that year was the strategic location of Malaysian camps, which allowed for relatively organized movement to the Jamarat bridge compared to other nations. The distance between the Malaysian pilgrim's tents and the Jamrah Complex is about 3.5 km. This means that the return distance between Mina and Jammarat is 7 km. 

All Malaysian pilgrims spend the night in Mina from the 10th to the 13th of Zulhijjah to complete the worship of throwing the three jamrahs, which are Sughra, Wusto, and Kubra, which are obligatory for Hajj.

TH (Tabung Haji) strictly enforced a "Stoning Schedule" provided by Saudi authorities, Malaysian groups were assigned specific time slots - often during the early morning or late evening to avoid peak "rush hours".

THE 2017 RITUAL TIMELINE

The stoning ritual is spread across the final days of Hajj, corresponding to the Eid al-Adha holiday.

• 1 September 2017 (10 Zulhijjah) : Pilgrims stone only the Jamrat al-Aqaba (the largest pillar) with 7 pebbles after leaving Muzdalifah.
• 2 September 2017 (11 Zulhijjah) : pilgrims stone all three pillars in sequence with 7 pebbles each (21 total).
• 3 September 2017 (12 Zulhijjah) : second day of stoning all three pillars.
• 4 September 2017 (13 Zulhijjah) : Final day of stoning for those who chose to stay in Mina for extra night. 

Pilgrims walked from their tents in Mina to the multi-level Jamarat Bridge. In 2017, Saudi authorities utilised drones and 100,000 security personne to monitor the flow of the 2.35 million total pilgrims. 

Pebbles provided by the Muassasah to throw at Jamarah.

Cultural Significance for Malaysians

For many Malaysians, the Jamarat is often viewed as the most physically demanding part of Hajj. In 2017, the sentiment among the Malaysian community was one of relief and gratitude, as the restoration of the quota meant many elderly pilgrims who had been on the waiting list for years were finally able to perform the rite.

Note: Tabung Haji (TH) staff the Patrol team, and "Sahabat Maktab" volunteers, were stationed at every major turn-off toward the Jamarat to ensure no Malaysian pilgrim got lost in the massive crowds.

TH Patrol Team and staff is there to help the Malaysian pilgrims.

Going through this Muassem tunnel reminds me of the tragedy on 3 July 1990 where 1,426 people (including 19 Malaysian pilgrims) were suffocated and trampled to death in a crowd crush or stempede event in a tunnel near Mecca during the Hajj. 

1. Wikipedia - 1990 Mecca Tunnel tragedy

After walking 3.5 km back to the tent in Mina, we feel hungry but it's not yet time for lunch, so Indo cup instant noodles and espresso coffee are the pilgrims' choice...

After completing the rite of throwing at Jamrah Kubra on the 10th of Zulhijjah (September 1st), the Malaysian pilgrims have obtained the Tahallul Awal, which is free from the 10 prohibitions of ihram and only bound by three more prohibitions.

After receiving Tahallul Awal, Hajj pilgrims no longer need to wear ihram clothes, which are 2 loose pieces of cloth, because it is no longer prohibited for them. But they are still in Ihram Hajj.

Tahallul literally means making something lawful or permissible. According to Syarak, the term Tahallul means freeing oneself from the prohibition of ihram.

All Malaysian pilgrims will be in Mina until 13 Zulhijjah (Sept 4) to throw at the three jamrahs, namely Sugra, Wusta, and Kubra on tasyrik days 11, 12, and 13 Zulhijjah.

RETURN TO MEKKAH 

After completing the stoning of the Jamarat, the return to Makkah is a significant phase for Malaysian pilgrims, marking the transition from the rugged tent life of Mina back to the relative comfort of the city. In 2017, this movement was highly structured by Tabung Haji (TH) to manage the record number of pilgrims.

The return is categorized into two groups based on the concept of Nafar (the act of leaving Mina):

1. Nafar Awal (The Early Group)

The majority of Malaysian pilgrims in 2017 opted for Nafar Awal to reduce congestion.

• Timeline: These pilgrims stayed in Mina for only two nights (11th and 12th of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
• The Ritual: They completed their final stoning of the three Jamarat on the afternoon of the 12th of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
• The Departure: They were required to leave the boundaries of Mina before sunset on that same day. Tabung Haji coordinated hundreds of buses to ferry these pilgrims back to their maktabs (hotels) in Makkah.

2. Nafar Thani (The Later Group)

A smaller portion of the Malaysian delegation performed Nafar Thani, which is considered more "complete" but physically more demanding.

• Timeline: They stayed an extra night in Mina, totaling three nights (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
• The Ritual: They performed a third day of stoning on the 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah before departing.
• Movement: Since there were fewer people in this group, the journey back to Makkah was often much smoother and quicker.

3. Logistical Experience in 2017

• The "One-Way" Walk: For many, the return involved walking back from the Jamarat Bridge to their specific camps in Mina first to collect their belongings before boarding the buses.
• Shuttle Services: Tabung Haji utilized a "shuttle system" where buses moved in a continuous loop. In 2017, despite the heat, the wait times for buses were reported to be shorter than in previous years due to the improved Saudi road management near the King Abdulaziz Bridge.
• Spiritual Milestone: Upon returning to Makkah, pilgrims are finally able to change out of their Ihram (if they hadn't already) and prepare for the final major rite: the Tawaf al-Wada' (Farewell Circumambulation).

4. Safety & Tabung Haji's Role

In 2017, TH staff were famously nicknamed the "Red Caps" or "Sahabat Maktab." They were stationed at the exit of the Jamarat complex to:

• Direct Malaysian pilgrims to the correct bus loading zones.
• Ensure elderly pilgrims were not separated from their groups in the "human tide" leaving Mina.
• Provide water and first aid to those exhausted by the walk from the pillars.

Being in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina was the sweetest moment for the Hajj Pilgrims. It is a memory that must be engraved in each of their hearts, remembering how beautiful that moment was - living in a crowded tent, queuing to go to the toilet, and eating together. We will definitely miss that moment after returning to our homeland later.

My message to the Pilgrims is to enjoy the moment and time we spend in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Let us not complain about all the difficulties and hardships we experience. Accept God's will with an open heart, with gratitude and satisfaction for everything. After all, this Hajj only takes 5 days compared to our 39 days in the Holy Land. We are lucky to be chosen as God's guests in this Hajj season, so let's be God's prudent guests and not seek worldly favors while performing the Hajj.

Reference:

1. Hajj Journey 2017 : Throwing the Jammarah

Compiled by:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

2017 Hajj Pilgrim

30/12/2025: 12.59 p.m