Are the rituals of Hajj, including the glorification of the Ka‘bah, not considered pagan rituals?

There is a huge difference between paganism and revering certain places and rituals, whether religious, national, or ethnic.

According to the opinion of some scholars, throwing pebbles at the Jamrahs (stoning pillars), for instance, shows our disagreement with the devil and our abstention from following him, and is a symbol of following the example of Abraham (peace be upon him), who threw stones at the devil when the latter appeared to him and tried to prevent him from carrying out his Lord's command by slaughtering his son. [301] Similarly, performing Sa‘y (walking at a brisk pace) between Safa and Marwah is a symbol of following the example of Hājar, who kept walking at a brisk pace in search of water for her son Ishmael. In all cases and regardless of the views in this regard, all the rituals of Hajj are meant to establish the remembrance of Allah and to indicate obedience and submission to the Lord of the worlds. They are not meant to worship stones, places, or people. Meanwhile, Islam calls for worshiping one God, the Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them and the Creator and Sovereign of everything. Imam Al-Hākim in "Al-Mustadrak" and Imam Ibn Khuzaymah in his "Sahīh" on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him).