Valley of Mina and the Cemerat

History

The Valley of Mina lies in a narrow passage between the mountains approximately 5 kilometers east of Mescid-i Haram, on the road between Mekke and the Plain of Arafat. Its name is said to derive from the Arabic word 'muna' (wishes/desires), as it is the place where desires are fulfilled and duas answered, or from the word 'mina' (to flow), referring to the blood of sacrificial animals that has flowed there since the time of Ibrahim. Mina's most significant historical connection is to the story of Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) supreme test of faith. When Ibrahim was commanded in a dream to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael), both father and son submitted to Allah's will. As they made their way to the place of sacrifice, Shaytan (Satan) appeared three times — at three separate locations — attempting to dissuade Ibrahim from fulfilling the divine command. Each time, Ibrahim rejected the temptation by throwing stones at the devil. These three locations correspond to the three Cemerat pillars where hacilar perform the stoning ritual: Cemerat al-Ula (the first/smallest), Cemerat al-Wusta (the middle), and Cemerat al-Aqabah (the largest, also called the Grand Jamrah). When Ibrahim proved his total submission by preparing to sacrifice his son, Allah intervened and replaced Ismail with a ram from Paradise. This event is commemorated annually during Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice), which coincides with the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. The act of qurbani (animal sacrifice) performed by Muslims worldwide on this day traces directly to Ibrahim's sacrifice at Mina. The Cemerat pillars have undergone dramatic transformation in modern times. Historically, they were simple stone pillars (obelisks) on ground level. Due to tragic stampedes — the most devastating occurring in 2015 when over 2,400 hacilar lost their lives — the Saudi government undertook a massive infrastructure project. The current Cemerat Bridge is a multi-story structure completed in stages from 2006 to 2010, featuring five levels plus ground level, each with separate entry and exit points to manage crowd flow. The pillars have been replaced with elongated walls (26 meters long) surrounded by elliptical basins to catch the pebbles, making the stoning ritual safer and more accessible from multiple levels simultaneously. The tent city of Mina is one of the most extraordinary temporary settlements on Earth. Covering approximately 20 square kilometers, it consists of over 100,000 fire-resistant fiberglass tents that accommodate over 2.5 million hacilar. The tents are organized by nationality and Hac group, and are equipped with air conditioning, flooring, and basic amenities. Despite being used only a few days each year, the tent city has a permanent infrastructure including roads, tunnels, medical facilities, and fire suppression systems.

Significance

Mina and the Cemerat represent one of the most powerful spiritual narratives in Islam — the absolute rejection of Shaytan's temptation and complete submission to Allah's command. The stoning ritual (rami al-Cemerat) is not merely a symbolic reenactment; it is a personal declaration by each haci that they, like Ibrahim, choose obedience to Allah over the whispers of doubt, desire, and disobedience. Each pebble thrown is accompanied by the takbir ('Allahu Akbar'), affirming that God is greater than any temptation or trial. The days of Tashreeq (11th-13th Dhul Hijjah) spent in Mina are described in Kur'an-i Kerim as 'appointed days' (ayyam ma'dudat) for the remembrance of Allah (2:203). Hz. Peygamber (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) said: 'The days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah' (Muslim). The combination of the stoning, sacrifice, and communal celebration during these days encapsulates the core message of Hac: surrender to God, gratitude for His blessings, and unity with the global Muslim community. The experience of sleeping in the tent city alongside millions of fellow hacilar, sharing meals and stories, creates bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood that transcend all worldly boundaries.

Visitor Information

Pilgrims first arrive in Mina on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah), where they spend the night before proceeding to Arafat for the Day of Arafat (9th). After the nights at Arafat and Muzdelife, hacilar return to Mina on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr / Eid al-Adha) and remain through the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the days of Tashreeq). On the 10th, hacilar stone only Cemerat al-Aqabah (the largest pillar) with seven pebbles. On the 11th and 12th (and optionally 13th), they stone all three Cemerat with seven pebbles each, proceeding from the smallest to the largest. The Cemerat Bridge is open for stoning from after sunrise until late at night, though specific time slots may be assigned to different groups by the Hac authorities to manage crowd density. The bridge is accessible by foot, with escalators and ramps available at each level. Wheelchairs are permitted. Pilgrims should approach calmly, throw their pebbles at the wall (not up in the air), and exit promptly through the designated pathways. Throwing shoes, sandals, or large rocks is strictly prohibited and dangerous. Mina's tent camps are assigned by Hac tour operators, and hacilar should know their camp number and location before arriving. The valley has comprehensive facilities including hospitals, pharmacies, police stations, currency exchange, and food distribution centers. The Mina tunnel system connects the valley to Mekke and to the Cemerat area. Temperatures during Hac season are extreme, and the valley's topography can create heat-trapping conditions. Pilgrims should drink water constantly, use umbrellas, and rest during the hottest hours. The days of Tashreeq are also days of eating and celebration — hacilar share meals of the sacrificial meat and enjoy fellowship with their companions.

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