Mina

What Does Mina Mean in Detail?

Mina is a sprawling valley approximately 5 kilometers east of Masjidil Haram, between Mekkah and Muzdalifah. During Haji, it becomes the world's largest temporary city, with over 100,000 air-conditioned fire-resistant tents organized by nationality and Haji group, accommodating over 2 million jamaah haji. Pilgrims first arrive in Mina on the 8th of Dzulhijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah), spending the night before proceeding to Arafah. After the Day of Arafah and the night at Muzdalifah, they return to Mina on the 10th for the stoning of Jamrat al-Aqabah, sacrifice, and shaving. They remain in Mina for the Days of Tashreeq (11th-13th), performing the daily stoning of all three Jamarat pillars. The three Jamarat — al-Sughra (small), al-Wusta (middle), and al-Aqabah (large) — are terletak di Mina, now housed within the massive multi-level Jamarat Bridge structure. Mina is also the site where Prophet Ibrahim was tested with the command to sacrifice his son Ismail, making it hallowed ground. The slaughterhouses for Haji sacrifices are terletak di Mina's outskirts. Despite its seasonal nature, Mina has permanent infrastructure including roads, tunnels, darurat facilities, and the tent structures that are erected and maintained annually.