Jamarat Officially Closed by Saudi Authorities
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Saudi authorities have officially closed the Jamarat facility in Mina following the conclusion of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, marking the end of one of the most significant rites performed during the annual pilgrimage.
The closure came after pilgrims completed the symbolic stoning of the devil (Rami al-Jamarat), a ritual carried out during the Days of Tashreeq.
Authorities closed the security gates of the multi-level Jamarat Complex after the final pilgrims completed the stoning ritual on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah and departed Mina.
Authorities reserve the Jamarat facility exclusively for Hajj rituals and do not open it to the public for year-round access or daily worship.
Once the pilgrimage season ends, the site becomes a restricted maintenance zone where engineers and technical teams conduct extensive inspections and servicing of critical infrastructure ahead of the next Hajj season.
The complex is regarded as one of the world’s largest crowd-management facilities. It spans five levels, measures about 950 meters in length and 80 meters in width, and is capable of accommodating more than 300,000 pilgrims per hour during peak periods.
The facility includes 386 escalators across 11 escalator buildings, dedicated entry and exit routes, emergency evacuation systems, advanced cooling technology and sophisticated surveillance networks designed to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims.
During the off-season, maintenance works cover bridges, ramps, tunnels, escalators, cooling systems, firefighting equipment, surveillance cameras and thousands of directional signs that guide pilgrims during the stoning ritual.
Saudi authorities also carry out comprehensive safety and operational tests before reopening the facility for the next Hajj season.
Although visitors performing Umrah may visit Mina as part of Ziyarah tours, access to the actual Jamarat levels remains prohibited, with viewing generally limited to designated public areas.
Saudi authorities will keep the facility closed until they begin preparations for the 2027 Hajj, when millions of pilgrims from around the world will once again gather in Mina to perform the sacred rite.
