Muzdalifah, May 27, 2026 – The Europe Today: After completing the main ritual of standing at Mount Arafat, the central pillar of Hajj, pilgrims moved peacefully and in an organized manner to Muzdalifah on Tuesday evening while continuously reciting the Talbiyah.
Upon arriving in Muzdalifah, pilgrims performed the Maghrib prayer consisting of three raka’a and the Isha prayer shortened to two raka’a at the time of Isha, following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Pilgrims are spending the night in worship, supplication and remembrance of Allah as part of the third stage of their sacred journey through the holy sites of Hajj.
During their stay in Muzdalifah, pilgrims are also collecting pebbles to be used in Wednesday’s stoning ritual at Jamrat Al-Aqaba in Mina.
After offering Fajr prayers, pilgrims will proceed to Mina to perform the symbolic stoning ritual. On the Day of Sacrifice, pilgrims are scheduled to complete five major Hajj rituals, including stoning Jamrat Al-Aqaba, shaving or trimming their hair, offering animal sacrifice, and performing Tawaf Al-Ifada and Sa’i at Masjid al-Haram.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities and agencies responsible for serving pilgrims have completed extensive preparations in Muzdalifah to ensure the comfort and safety of worshippers following their departure from Arafat.
The holy site has been equipped with expanded spaces to accommodate pilgrims, while overnight stay areas, lighting systems, restrooms and public service facilities have been upgraded. Cleaning and environmental sanitation operations are also being carried out around the clock to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
Security and traffic authorities have intensified crowd management and transportation plans by deploying field teams along routes connecting Arafat and Muzdalifah to ensure smooth pilgrim movement and minimize congestion through carefully coordinated scheduling systems.
The healthcare sector has also heightened readiness levels by operating health centers, emergency and ambulance units, and deploying medical and field personnel to respond quickly to emergencies. Authorities have additionally intensified awareness campaigns regarding heat stress prevention and health guidance during movement and overnight stays.
Service agencies are utilizing advanced digital systems, surveillance cameras and round-the-clock monitoring centers to oversee pilgrim movement in real time, improve operational efficiency and ensure rapid response to any field situations during the Hajj season.
