Human Highway

Moving east to west, pilgrims reenact Abraham’s hajj by throwing seven pebbles against each of three pillars, known collectively as jamarat. The area around the jamarat pillars, located in an encampment east of Mecca, has been redesigned repeatedly to facilitate pilgrims’ progression during the stone-throwing ritual. Hovering high above the entrance to the first pillar, we can sense both the significance of this rite and the considerable risk posed by the overwhelming mass of people funneling in. Hundreds have died trying to make their way across Jamarat Bridge.