Mina is a valley in mountains about 5 miles east of Masjid al-Haram, Makkah. It holds religious historic significance for Muslims, especially during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah when Muslims visit the valley as a part of their Hajj rituals.
Pilgrims gather at Mina and spend the nights of the 8th, 11th, 12th, and sometimes the night of the 13th Dhul-Hijjah at Mina. This stay is known as Layali al-Tashriq. During this time, pilgrims recite the Holy Quran, offer prayers and nawafil, perform Zikr, and listen to Islamic lectures.
Mina is also the location of the three Jamarat (stone pillars) pelted per the stoning ritual or Rami in Hajj. Throwing pebbles at the three Jamarat is done in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) unwavering faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and his refusal of Satan’s manipulation.
Since Mina is a small valley with limited capacity, pilgrims worldwide must share their living space with others inside large tents. This is why Mina is often called the ‘tent city.’ To avoid confusion and make your stay as comfortable as possible, here’s what you need to know about the accommodation, categories, and zones in Mina during the Hajj.
Accommodation in Mina During Hajj
The tents in Mina used to be small and basic before 2000. Since a tragic fire broke out in the tent city in 1997, which claimed the lives of more than 200 pilgrims and injured many more, fireproof tents have been used.
Mina has more than 100,000 tents that accommodate up to three million people. This is why Mina is known as the largest tent city in the world. In addition to safety, these tents provide electricity, air-conditioning, electric plugs, and more comfort.
During Hajj, Muslims from all over the world gather to explore the traditions and rituals of Hajj, strengthening their spiritual connection with the Creator and their communal bonds. When pilgrims arrive in Mina, they are divided into groups and must look for their pre-allocated accommodation camps. This allocation is done according to the pilgrim’s country, so camps usually display the country’s flags above them for easy recognition.
Moreover, streets and camps are numbered, and the agent who has arranged your stay will give you this information. Men and women will stay in separate tents.
Overall, the comfort and facilities of your tent accommodation will depend on your Hajj package. Since the agent will have paid in advance for your accommodation, you should check with your agent beforehand if you have any questions or reservations.
• Choose a tent near the cooking area or toilets if options are given. Avoid tents near entrances since these areas are often crowded; tents in the middle of camps or at the back are preferable.
• Upon entering your tent, immediately select the area where you would like to stay and place your belongings and sleeping mat/bag. Avoid arguing for space in the tent, and make sure to occupy a reasonable amount of space.
• If you have a relatively larger tent, choose to sleep near the back of the tent. The front and middle of the tent are usually reserved for Salah, religious lectures, and eating, so sleeping here can prove very inconvenient.
• If you’re performing Hajj with your family or spouse, select an area near the corner of the tent. This makes communication and sharing of food more accessible.
Accommodation Categories in Mina During Hajj
The accommodation type and meals category you will be provided in Mina are divided into four categories – A, B, C and D. This division is based on the type of Hajj package you decide to avail.
Category A
This includes a sturdy camp with a steel door. The tents are air-conditioned with foam mattresses (sofa cum beds) on the floor, measuring 1.5 feet in width and 6 feet in length. A single blanket and cushion are also provided. Moreover, the camp will have a separate freezer. Nevertheless, the beds are closely packed, and you must adjust your luggage near or under your feet.
Category B
This category includes a camp with wooden walls and a plastic door. The tents feature foam beds (sofa cum beds) on the floor, a single shawl and a single pillow for each pilgrim, an installed air cooler, and basic food.
Category C
This is a basic category where the camps have plastic sheets as partitions. Basic mattresses are on the floor, and most facilities are not provided.
Category D
This is the most basic category where the beds and carpets are on the floor and, like category C, most facilities are not provided.
In addition to these categories, VIP Mina Camps are available for exclusive purposes.
Meals
The camp is responsible for supplying three meals a day to the pilgrims. These include fruits, fruit juices, and leban (lassi) as per the Hajj package. Although your agent must ensure you are provided with these meals, the pilgrims often must access and distribute them.
The personalized menu for category A pilgrims could include juices, ice creams, etc. Generally speaking, there are water coolers available with ice to maintain the cold temperature of drinks and water bottles. Food plates will be split into three sections, usually including rice, lentils, and meat, with occasional servings of only mutton and rice.
Zones in Mina During Hajj
Significant green signposts specify specific boundaries around Mina, and it is essential to stay within these designated boundaries on the 10th, 11th, 12th, and maybe the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Sometimes, certain camps might be located in Muzdalifah, which is beyond the limits of Mina. It is essential to inform your group leader if your camp is situated beyond the boundary, as it is important to be within the limits of Mina.
Conclusion
The stay at Mina during Hajj is a truly memorable experience. It is a beautiful time to connect with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and ask for His mercy and forgiveness. It also provides an opportunity to practice patience and resilience while helping others with their tasks and Ibadat.
