Makkah, May 27 -- Haj pilgrims from around the world began the symbolic Jamarat ritual, known as the "stoning of the devil", on Wednesday, May 27, marking the first day of Eid Al-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice.

At dawn on Wednesday, pilgrims returned from the plains of Muzdalifah to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to offer Eid prayers before heading to Mina to begin the stoning ritual.

Since dawn on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims have been performing the ritual in Mina, starting with Jamrat Al-Aqaba, where seven pebbles are thrown. Pilgrims had earlier gathered pebbles in Muzdalifah before returning to Mina to continue the final rites of Haj.

The stoning ritual, one of the final major pillars of Haj, will continue over the next three...