Saudi Gazette report

MINA — The holy site of Mina is shining in its finest attire as over 1.5 million pilgrims are set to descent on the sprawling Tent City from morning of Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 8, corresponding to June 4, to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. The pilgrims will depart Mina for Arafat at dawn of Thursday, Dhul Hijjah 9, corresponding to June 5, to perform the ritual of standing at Arafat, the pinnacle of Hajj.

Aerial photos, broadcast by the Saudi Press Agency, showed the bright lights illuminating the night in Mina, where high-tech tents are lined up to receive the pilgrims. The vast network of roads in the Tent City is poised to receive buses and cars transporting the pilgrims, while government vehicles and foot teams are engaged in inspecting the huge Jamarat Complex to ensure its readiness for the stoning rituals.

Mina, a small valley located five kilometers to the east of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is an integral site for the Hajj pilgrimage. The landscape of Mina is dominated by vast arrays of white tents, specifically designed to accommodate the multitudes of pilgrims. These tents are fire-resistant and are equipped with essential amenities to ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims throughout their stay. The Tent City is spreading over an area with a capacity to accommodate more than 2.6 million pilgrims during the peak pilgrimage season.

The infrastructure in Mina is a marvel of modern engineering and logistics, designed to handle the enormous influx of visitors smoothly and efficiently. The site includes extensive networks of roads, bridges, and tunnels to facilitate the movement of pilgrims between Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah — all major sites of the Hajj ritual.