JAMARAT BRIDGE, Saudi Arabia - Driven by God, but hampered by a massive mortal tide, millions of Muslims cast stones at pillars representing the Devil in the most dangerous ritual of the annual haj pilgrimage.

The three-day ritual, which ended on Tuesday, has been marred by almost yearly stampedes that have claimed more than 1,000 lives since 1990. On Sunday, 251 pilgrims were trampled to death at Mena's treacherous Jamarat Bridge, from which Muslims pelt stones at three pillars.

The Saudi Government blamed the tragedy on pilgrims who do not have a haj permit and who camp with their personal belongings along the strategic route.

But the bigger problem appears to be the over-zealous pilgrims who push and shove their way through the throng to stone the pillars after dawn and noon prayers, even though Muslims can perform the ritual at any time.

Most Muslims believe that dying in the haj is akin to martyrdom, which guarantees believers access to paradise, so the pilgrims approach the pillars with no fear for their safety.

The crowds are also hampered by the geography of the site, which is located at a narrow mountain pass near Mecca. The Saudi government has pledged to restructure the site to make it safer.

Stoning the three pillars - which believers say mark the spot the Devil tempted Abraham, his son Ismail and his mother Hagar - is an essential part of the haj and must be performed seven times over the last three days of the five-day event.

Men shout "Tareeg, Ya Haj", or "Pilgrims, clear the way", while pushing through the mass of Arabs, Asians, Africans and a few Westerners who journey to Saudi Arabia for the rite.

On each occasion, seven stones are thrown at each of the pillars which stand some 80 metres (260 feet) apart.

Some Muslims do the stoning after midnight, thinking the crowds will be more merciful. But a mini-metropolis of pilgrims has already claimed most of the space, severely limiting access.

Every man, woman and child is squeezed together through the campers and a heavy police presence. Child beggars sit on stairs, shouting: "Give us something for God's sake."

On Tuesday, a bulldozer found its way down to the pillars to clear away the mountain of small stones around them. It dredged up dozens of women's slippers, thrown in anger at the pillars despite warnings by Saudi clerics to use only stones.

(Agencies via Xinhua)