Mina “City of Tents”

Mina, also known as the “City of Tents,” is a temporary tent city located in the valley of Mina, about 5 kilometers east of the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is an important location during the annual Islamic pilgrimage, known as Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all physically and financially able Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime.

During the Hajj pilgrimage, millions of Muslims from all over the world gather in Mina and stay in tents for a few days. The tents are provided by the Saudi government and are arranged in neat rows to accommodate the pilgrims. Each tent can hold up to 50 people, and the tents are air-conditioned to provide relief from the scorching desert heat.

Mina is an important location during the Hajj pilgrimage because it is where pilgrims perform the ritual of stoning the devil. The ritual involves throwing seven stones at three pillars, which represent the devil, in a symbolic act of rejecting evil.

After the ritual of stoning the devil, pilgrims then move on to the nearby plain of Arafat, where they spend the day in prayer and contemplation. Mina is also the location of the symbolic sacrifice of an animal, known as Eid al-Adha or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Overall, Mina is a significant location for Muslims, particularly during the Hajj pilgrimage, and the tent city provides a unique and memorable experience for pilgrims from all over the world.