Photos: Over two million Muslims begin Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

By HT Correspondent

Updated On Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Nearly 2.4 million Muslims made the trip to western Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, beginning the annual Hajj pilgrimage at first light Sunday, circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in Mecca that Islam's faithful turn towards five times each day during their prayers. The five-day hajj pilgrimage represents one of the world's biggest gatherings every year and is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so. The pilgrimage ends with Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice.

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Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba as they pray at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, August 16, 2018. The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws millions of visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world. (Dar Yasin / AP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba as they pray at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, August 16, 2018. The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws millions of visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world. (Dar Yasin / AP)

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African pilgrims walk outside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, prior to the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The ultra-conservative kingdom -- where religion remains a guiding force amid dramatic social and economic reforms -- has mobilised vast resources for the five-day journey, a pillar of Islam. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

African pilgrims walk outside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, prior to the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The ultra-conservative kingdom -- where religion remains a guiding force amid dramatic social and economic reforms -- has mobilised vast resources for the five-day journey, a pillar of Islam. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

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An aerial view of the Grand Mosque complex which houses the Kaaba, the metaphorical house of God and is the point towards which Muslims around the world pray. Every Muslim is required to complete the Hajj journey to Islam’s holiest sites at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so. (Dar Yasin / AP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

An aerial view of the Grand Mosque complex which houses the Kaaba, the metaphorical house of God and is the point towards which Muslims around the world pray. Every Muslim is required to complete the Hajj journey to Islam’s holiest sites at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so. (Dar Yasin / AP)

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Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque. Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed for the pilgrimage, which was struck by its worst ever disaster three years ago when around 2,300 worshippers were crushed to death in a stampede. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque. Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed for the pilgrimage, which was struck by its worst ever disaster three years ago when around 2,300 worshippers were crushed to death in a stampede. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

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Pilgrims touch the golden door of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque. For the Muslim faithful, Hajj retraces the last steps of the Prophet Mohammed and also honours the prophets Abraham and Ishmael. (Dar Yasin / AP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Pilgrims touch the golden door of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque. For the Muslim faithful, Hajj retraces the last steps of the Prophet Mohammed and also honours the prophets Abraham and Ishmael. (Dar Yasin / AP)

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Saudi men are pictured inside sleep pods in Mecca on August 16, 2018. The free nap pods are part of new measures Saudi Arabia is rolling out this year in a bid to modernise the centuries-old practice of hajj. This year, the Saudis have also launched a “smart hajj” initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Saudi men are pictured inside sleep pods in Mecca on August 16, 2018. The free nap pods are part of new measures Saudi Arabia is rolling out this year in a bid to modernise the centuries-old practice of hajj. This year, the Saudis have also launched a “smart hajj” initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

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Muslim worshippers perform prayers around the Kaaba. The interior ministry said on Saturday that the number of pilgrims arriving in Mecca had already surpassed the two million mark, mostly from abroad including large contingents from Egypt, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Muslim worshippers perform prayers around the Kaaba. The interior ministry said on Saturday that the number of pilgrims arriving in Mecca had already surpassed the two million mark, mostly from abroad including large contingents from Egypt, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

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Muslim worshippers watch as others circumambulate around the Kaaba. Wearing the simple white garb of the pilgrim, most of the faithful began moving on Sunday from Mecca to the nearby Mina valley. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Muslim worshippers watch as others circumambulate around the Kaaba. Wearing the simple white garb of the pilgrim, most of the faithful began moving on Sunday from Mecca to the nearby Mina valley. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

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Muslim pilgrims along with their belongings walks towards Namirah mosque on Arafat Mountain. Many pilgrims made the journey walking under the scorching sun, some carrying white or blue umbrellas. (Dar Yasin / AP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Muslim pilgrims along with their belongings walks towards Namirah mosque on Arafat Mountain. Many pilgrims made the journey walking under the scorching sun, some carrying white or blue umbrellas. (Dar Yasin / AP)

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A muslim pilgrim prays while she climbs the Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Quran through Gabriel in the Hera cave. Thousands of buses and vehicles carrying the pilgrims lined the eight kilometre road from Mecca to Mina. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

A muslim pilgrim prays while she climbs the Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Quran through Gabriel in the Hera cave. Thousands of buses and vehicles carrying the pilgrims lined the eight kilometre road from Mecca to Mina. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

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A Muslim pilgrim prays as she gather with others on Mount Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah) on the plains of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on August 20, 2018. Muslims believe prayer on Mount Arafat, about 20 kilometers east of the holy city of Mecca, is their best chance to erase past sins and start anew. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

A Muslim pilgrim prays as she gather with others on Mount Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah) on the plains of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on August 20, 2018. Muslims believe prayer on Mount Arafat, about 20 kilometers east of the holy city of Mecca, is their best chance to erase past sins and start anew. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

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Pilgrims stood shoulder to shoulder for an emotional day of repentance and supplication at the site Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon, calling for equality and for Muslims to unite. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Pilgrims stood shoulder to shoulder for an emotional day of repentance and supplication at the site Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon, calling for equality and for Muslims to unite. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP)

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Around sunset, pilgrims headed to an area called Muzdalifa, west of Arafat. Many walked, while others used buses. They spent the night picking up pebbles along the way that will be used in a symbolic stoning of the devil back in the city of Mina, where Muslims believe the devil tried to talk Ibrahim out of submitting to God’s will. (Dar Yasin / AP)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

Around sunset, pilgrims headed to an area called Muzdalifa, west of Arafat. Many walked, while others used buses. They spent the night picking up pebbles along the way that will be used in a symbolic stoning of the devil back in the city of Mina, where Muslims believe the devil tried to talk Ibrahim out of submitting to God’s will. (Dar Yasin / AP)

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A Turkish pilgrim from Turkey visits the Mount Al-Noor. At the Hajj’s end, male pilgrims will shave their hair and women will cut a lock of hair in a sign of renewal for completing the pilgrimage. Around the world, Muslims will mark the occasion with a celebration called Eid al-Adha. The holiday, remembering Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, sees Muslims slaughter sheep and cattle. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 21, 2018 09:26 am IST

A Turkish pilgrim from Turkey visits the Mount Al-Noor. At the Hajj’s end, male pilgrims will shave their hair and women will cut a lock of hair in a sign of renewal for completing the pilgrimage. Around the world, Muslims will mark the occasion with a celebration called Eid al-Adha. The holiday, remembering Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, sees Muslims slaughter sheep and cattle. (Zohra Bensemra / REUTERS)

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