MEKAH, Nov 17 (Bernama) — Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister”s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom joined Malaysian Pilgrims Management and Fund Board (Tabung Haji) personnel and Malaysian journalists in celebrating Aidiladha at the compound of Wisma TH Jamrat near Mina last night.

The celebration began with the Maghrib prayers, led by Jamil Khir himself, by the 60 people present, among them Tabung Haji Chairman Tan Sri Abi Musa Asa”ari Mohamed Nor, Tabung Haji Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ismee Ismail and head of the Malaysian Haj delegation Mohd Salleh Abdul Mubin.

At about 4am (9am Malaysian time), Jamil Khir, the Tabung Haji personnel and the journalists participated in the “stoning of the devil” ritual at the Jamratul Aqabah, and then at Jamratul Sughra, Wusta and Qubra on the ground floor of the five-storey Jamrat Complex.

Tight control by the Saudi Arabian authorities ensured a smooth “stoning of the devil” ritual this morning, without any restriction or jostling.

Friday is the last day for the pilgrims to perform the ritual.

More than 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world, including 26,000 from Malaysia, are in the holy land to perform the pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam.

— BERNAMA