������Ƶ

RIYADH: The role played by women during Hajj has evolved considerably in recent years, highlighting their contributions to one of the world’s largest gatherings of humanity.

One inspiring woman involved in the pilgrimage is Alyaa Malibari, a professor at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah.

She has dedicated her career to enhancing pilgrims’ experiences while also empowering other women and works with several operators to run courses for members of the public interested in volunteering during Hajj.

She devised the Qaidat program, a leadership initiative for women that introduces them to various roles and responsibilities. Another, Hunna, is a female-led project that aligns with Vision 2030 and focuses on applying innovative practices during Hajj. Meanwhile, the Aguadyat program empowers women in food safety, enhancing the quality of meals provided to pilgrims.

Women have been integral to Hajj ever since its inception, offering hospitality, preparing meals and sharing religious knowledge. Today, their roles have expanded to reflect their educational and professional advancements.

Malibari has been a pivotal figure. With a background in leadership training and communication, she began her journey at a young age, inspired by her family’s commitment to serving pilgrims.

“My earliest memories of Hajj are filled with admiration for my father and the work he did. I always knew I wanted to contribute in some way,” she said, adding that empowering women was a lifelong commitment: “I want to ensure that women have the tools and knowledge to thrive during Hajj.”

Malibari’s earliest memories of Hajj are of when she was five years old and accompanied her father. Her formal involvement began in 2005 when she volunteered with the Women’s Assembly at Umm Al-Qura to assist female pilgrims.

She later studied abroad, which allowed her to bring international attention to Saudi efforts in serving pilgrims.

“It was important for me to share our story with the world and highlight the dedication of those who serve,” she said.

In 2019, Malibari led a translation project for the Ministry of Media, producing multilingual content to enhance communication.

Beyond her contributions during Hajj, Malibari is a dedicated doctor and academic. She is keen to emphasize the importance of education and aims to inspire the next generation of leaders.

“Education is the key to unlocking potential. I want my students to understand that they can make a difference,” she said.

RIYADH: The early hours of Friday saw pilgrims start the journey from Muzdalifah to Mina, where they will perform one of Hajj’s most symbolic rituals — the stoning of the Jamarat, which marks the beginning of Eid Al-Adha and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of Satan.

Following a night of worship and rest, where the travelers combined and shortened the Maghrib and Isha prayers and collected pebbles for the ritual, the movement to Mina began shortly after midnight.

Saudi authorities orchestrated operations with meticulous precision, ensuring pilgrims moved in structured waves to prevent overcrowding and followed routes mapped out in advance by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.

Security personnel, crowd control units and volunteer guides lined the roads to ensure pilgrims — many of whom were elderly or physically exhausted — could travel safely.

Transportation was provided by a fleet of buses operating on strict schedules. Many people also used the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, the dedicated Hajj-only rail system which loops between Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah and can carry up to 72,000 passengers per hour. According to Saudi Press Agency, the nine-station line significantly reduced surface congestion and supported the Kingdom’s strategy for a safe and sustainable Hajj.

Upon arrival in Mina, pilgrims proceeded to Jamarat Bridge, a purpose-built, multi-level structure designed to accommodate millions performing the stoning ritual.

Each pilgrim casts seven pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba, symbolizing the rejection of evil. The ritual is repeated over the next two days at all three Jamarat pillars.

The millions of pebbles fall into the Jamarat’s basement, which is 15 meters deep, where they are collected by conveyor belts.

They are then sifted, washed to remove impurities, and transferred to storage vehicles. Ahmed Al-Subhi, a representative of Kidana Development Co., which manages the holy sites, said bags of pebbles were prepared in advance and distributed at more than 300 contact points in Muzdalifah and Mina.

The process is part of a broader system designed to reduce the ritual’s environmental impact and preserve its spiritual symbolism.

To ensure smooth flow at the Jamarat, the bridge is equipped with advanced surveillance systems, ventilation units, emergency exits and designated pathways for groups and individuals.

Entry and exit are managed through RFID-based Nusuk cards and digital crowd-tracking systems operated by the Saudi Data and AI Authority.

According to the General Authority for Statistics, 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Hajj this year, with some 1,506,576 coming from outside the Kingdom.