Dhu Al Hijja 12 – Fifth Day of Haj, 2012

Muslim pilgrims sleep in the street waiting for their last turn to cast stones at the symbolic devil. Alaa Badarneh / EPA

Muslim pilgrims wait their turn to throw stones during the last day of the Muslim's Hajj. Alaa Badarneh / EPA

Muslim pilgrims cast stones at a pillar, symbolizing the stoning of Satan near the Saudi holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Hassan Ammar / AP Photo

Muslim pilgrims throw stones at the symbolic devil represented by a Jamarat (Burning Coal) during the last day of Hajj. Alaa Badarneh / EPA

Pilgrims propel stones at the symbolic devil during the last day of Hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia. Alaa Badarneh / EPA

Muslim pilgrims pray after taking part in the 'Jamarat' ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca. Fayez Nureldine / AFP

Muslim pilgrims pray after they threw pebbles at pillars during the 'Jamarat' ritual on the last day of Hajj. Fayez Nureldine / AFP

Saudi soldiers cordon off Muslim pilgrims throwing stones at the symbolic devil represented by a Jamarat during the last day of the Muslim's Hajj. Alaa Badarneh / EPA

Muslim pilgrims cast stones at a pillar, symbolizing the stoning of Satan, in a ritual called 'Jamarat', a rite of the annual hajj, in Mina near the Saudi holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Hassan Ammar / AP Photo

The last and for many the most emotional day of Haj. It is the culmination of years spent praying and saving money to come to this blessed sight.

After successfully completing all Hajj rites, pilgrims depart Mina and return to Mecca before the sunset prayer to farewell the Kaaba with a final round of seven circuits. Pilgrims are then encouraged to leave Mecca, some will continue their stay in Saudi Arabia and visit the Prophet Mohammad's mosque in Medina while others will immediately head to the airport and return home to their families. After bonding over a tumultuous five days, pilgrims tearfully bid farewell to each other. They may have only known each other for a few days, but these are strong bonds that last a lifetime; everybody remembers their "Haj buddy." Pilgrims leave Mecca with feelings of spiritual renewal because, as the Prophet Mohammad said, "whoever goes to Haj without obscenity, he or she will be forgiven as [a] new born."

*Saeed Saeed

More pictures from Haj

• Dhu Al Hijja 11 – Fourth Day of Haj, 2012

• Dhu Al Hijja 10 – Third Day of Haj, 2012

• Dhu Al Hijja 9 – Second Day of Haj, 2012 

• Dhu Al Hijja 8 – First Day of Haj, 2012