During this year's Haj, pilgrims will, for the first time, be provided with pebbles for stoning of the Jamrat thanks to a project supervised by Al-Siqaya and Rifada (Watering and Assistance) Committee in Makkah Governorate and carried out by Al-Amoudi Charity (Mabarrah). The project aims to prepare pebbles for over 1.5 million pilgrims. Over 500,000 pebble bags manufactured from carpet material have been distributed at different places in Muzdalifa. Each bag contains enough pebbles for three pilgrims for the three days of stoning (Ramy) in Mina. Dr. Muhammad Bin Aboud Al-Amoudi, member of the Siqaya and Rifada Committee, said the idea of the project is in line with the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz to provide everything necessary to enable the pilgrims to perform their Haj rituals with ease, comfort, security and safety, SPA said on Saturday. He added that the idea of the project was encouraged and supported by members of the Siqaya and Rifada Committee after obtaining a ruling (Fatwa) approving the project. Al-Amoudi also lauded the great support provided by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region. He said the project for preparing the pebbles for stoning ritual aimed to facilitate matters for the pilgrims especially the old among them, who reach Muzdalifa exhausted after the attendance in Arafat. Pilgrims will be provided with sterilized pebbles in attractive bags made of carpet material. Al-Amoudi said the first step in the project starts with collection of pebbles, which the Makkah Mayoralty transports to Muzdalifa after ensuring that the pebbles have been cut to a certain size. The preparation process includes cleaning by washing seven times, drying under the sun and removing pebbles that are unfit for throwing at the Jamrat. After confirming that the pebbles are ready, skilled workers place them in bags made of carpet material to be distributed at the gathering points of pilgrims and in buses during their stay in Muzdalifa so as to enable them to devote their time to prayer and supplication. Al-Amoudi stressed that the project is being implemented for the first time this Haj. It is a pioneering charitable project aimed at serving the pilgrims, he said. __
