On Sunday, 1.8 million Muslims performed the “stoning of the devil” ritual, the final major act of the hajj pilgrimage, in Mina, Saudi Arabia. This ritual commemorates Abraham’s defiance of Satan. Despite revamped safety measures, the event faced challenges due to extreme heat, with temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F), causing heat stress and fatigue among pilgrims. Jordan reported 14 deaths, while Iran reported five. The ritual coincides with Eid al-Adha, marking Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. The event also reflected solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict, with Saudi King Salman hosting 2,000 Palestinians at his expense.