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A Saudi security officer watches as pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba
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Pilgrims take a selfie after the symbolic stoning ritual during the Hajj in Mina, near Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AP
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A woman pilgrim prays after the stoning ritual. AP
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Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar representing the devil, one of several rituals that form part of the annual Hajj. Reuters
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A pilgrim flings a stone at a pillar symbolising Satan. Reuters
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An official in Mina, near Makkah, directs a pilgrim during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
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Coronavirus hit the Hajj for a second year running. An event that annually attracts about 2. 5 million Muslims from around the world this year is unrecognisable in scale with strict health restrictions in place.
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Pilgrims at prayer after participating in the symbolic stoning of the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
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A pilgrim during prayer after the stone-throwing ritual.
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Pilgrims cast stones in a ritual stoning of Satan during Hajj.
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Pilgrims pray after the stone-throwing ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
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A Hajj pilgrim in Mina, near Makkah, casts a stone at a pillar representing Satan.
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Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Hajj.
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A pilgrim prays after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
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A worker distributes free water from the holy well of Zamzam to pilgrims.
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A Saudi policewoman, Samar, stands in front of the Kaaba.
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A pilgrim casts stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
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Pilgrims throw stones at pillars symbolising Satan during Hajj in Mina, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Pilgrims have their heads shaved on the second day of Eid Al Adha after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
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Pilgrims, keeping social distancing and wearing protective masks, cast stones at pillars symbolising Satan.
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Pilgrims pray on top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, near Makkah.
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Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat during Hajj.
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A pilgrim prays in front of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma, or the Mountain of Mercy.
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Muslim pilgrims at Mount Arafat.
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Vaccinated pilgrims performing Hajj.
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Pilgrims shelter from the sun under an umbrella.
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Participants remained socially distanced and wore masks as the coronavirus took its toll on the Hajj for a second year running.
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Officials replace the covering cloth of the Kaaba.
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Aerial view of the Mina area during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah.
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The Kaaba is covered with the Kiswa cloth.
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Another view of the Mina area.
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Pilgrims must be under 65 and without a chronic disease.
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Rules for the 2021 Hajj allow for a maximum of 60,000 citizens and residents Saudi Arabia.
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Pilgrims must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to be allowed entry.
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It is the second consecutive year that numbers at Hajj are limited due to pandemic.
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Muslim pilgrims, wearing protective face masks, circle the Kaaba.
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Coronavirus precautions are taken across the site.
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Pilgrims arrive at their tented camp in Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Time for prayer and reflection.
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For some worshippers, this year’s Hajj is a strange experience because it has been scaled down to such an extent.
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A pilgrim recites the Quran.
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Saudi pilgrim Irak al Dofairy, 65, reads the Quran on his mobile phone at a camp in Mina.
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A pilgrim sits cross-legged.
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.Mina sits in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains.
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Visitors partake in the rituals of the great pilgrimage.
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Walking around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
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Back at the camp.
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The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, started with only 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents allowed to take part this year because of the pandemic.
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Pilgrims pour into Makkah for first Hajj rituals amid strict health measures.
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A pilgrim takes a selfie at the Grand Mosque as he wears a mask and stands on social distancing signs.
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A total of 60,000 assembled in Mina on Sunday before moving to Arafat on Monday.
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Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba.
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A robot sterilises an area of the Grand Mosque before Hajj.
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The pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.
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Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque.
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Workers disinfect the grounds.
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Muslim pilgrims walk around the cubic building of the Kaaba.
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A Muslim pilgrim walks past a sign reminding Hajj participants of social distancing.
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A pilgrims arrives to atend the Hajj season in Makkah.
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Hajj authorities have been disinfecting the Grand Mosque around the clock to ensure pilgrims' safety.
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The pilgrimage remains a deeply personal experience for many, despite the downsizing for the second year running.
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A person can perform Hajj on behalf of someone who has died or is unable to come to Makkah but only if they have already performed the pilgrimage for themselves.
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A man hands a bottle of water to a pilgrim at the Grand Mosque.
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The annual ritual is an important part of Islam.
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Pilgrims are dotted around the site.
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Saudi troops stand guard as the first pilgrims arrive at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
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A person takes a video as pilgrims perform Tawaf, the rite of circumambulating the Kaaba.
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Pilgrims pray in the evening near the Kaaba.
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A Saudi security officer watches as pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba
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Pilgrims take a selfie after the symbolic stoning ritual during the Hajj in Mina, near Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah. AP
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A woman pilgrim prays after the stoning ritual. AP
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Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar representing the devil, one of several rituals that form part of the annual Hajj. Reuters
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A pilgrim flings a stone at a pillar symbolising Satan. Reuters
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An official in Mina, near Makkah, directs a pilgrim during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
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Coronavirus hit the Hajj for a second year running. An event that annually attracts about 2. 5 million Muslims from around the world this year is unrecognisable in scale with strict health restrictions in place.
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Pilgrims at prayer after participating in the symbolic stoning of the devil during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
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A pilgrim during prayer after the stone-throwing ritual.
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Pilgrims cast stones in a ritual stoning of Satan during Hajj.
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Pilgrims pray after the stone-throwing ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
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A Hajj pilgrim in Mina, near Makkah, casts a stone at a pillar representing Satan.
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Pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Hajj.
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A pilgrim prays after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
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A worker distributes free water from the holy well of Zamzam to pilgrims.
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A Saudi policewoman, Samar, stands in front of the Kaaba.
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A pilgrim casts stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
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Pilgrims throw stones at pillars symbolising Satan during Hajj in Mina, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Pilgrims have their heads shaved on the second day of Eid Al Adha after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan.
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Pilgrims, keeping social distancing and wearing protective masks, cast stones at pillars symbolising Satan.
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Pilgrims pray on top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, near Makkah.
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Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat during Hajj.
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A pilgrim prays in front of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Al Rahma, or the Mountain of Mercy.
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Muslim pilgrims at Mount Arafat.
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Vaccinated pilgrims performing Hajj.
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Pilgrims shelter from the sun under an umbrella.
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Participants remained socially distanced and wore masks as the coronavirus took its toll on the Hajj for a second year running.
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Officials replace the covering cloth of the Kaaba.
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Aerial view of the Mina area during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah.
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The Kaaba is covered with the Kiswa cloth.
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Another view of the Mina area.
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Pilgrims must be under 65 and without a chronic disease.
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Rules for the 2021 Hajj allow for a maximum of 60,000 citizens and residents Saudi Arabia.
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Pilgrims must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to be allowed entry.
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It is the second consecutive year that numbers at Hajj are limited due to pandemic.
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Muslim pilgrims, wearing protective face masks, circle the Kaaba.
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Coronavirus precautions are taken across the site.
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Pilgrims arrive at their tented camp in Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Time for prayer and reflection.
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For some worshippers, this year’s Hajj is a strange experience because it has been scaled down to such an extent.
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A pilgrim recites the Quran.
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Saudi pilgrim Irak al Dofairy, 65, reads the Quran on his mobile phone at a camp in Mina.
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A pilgrim sits cross-legged.
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.Mina sits in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky mountains.
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Visitors partake in the rituals of the great pilgrimage.
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Walking around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
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Back at the camp.
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The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, started with only 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents allowed to take part this year because of the pandemic.
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Pilgrims pour into Makkah for first Hajj rituals amid strict health measures.
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A pilgrim takes a selfie at the Grand Mosque as he wears a mask and stands on social distancing signs.
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A total of 60,000 assembled in Mina on Sunday before moving to Arafat on Monday.
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Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba.
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A robot sterilises an area of the Grand Mosque before Hajj.
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The pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.
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Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque.
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Workers disinfect the grounds.
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Muslim pilgrims walk around the cubic building of the Kaaba.
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A Muslim pilgrim walks past a sign reminding Hajj participants of social distancing.
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A pilgrims arrives to atend the Hajj season in Makkah.
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Hajj authorities have been disinfecting the Grand Mosque around the clock to ensure pilgrims' safety.
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The pilgrimage remains a deeply personal experience for many, despite the downsizing for the second year running.
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A person can perform Hajj on behalf of someone who has died or is unable to come to Makkah but only if they have already performed the pilgrimage for themselves.
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A man hands a bottle of water to a pilgrim at the Grand Mosque.
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The annual ritual is an important part of Islam.
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Pilgrims are dotted around the site.
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Saudi troops stand guard as the first pilgrims arrive at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque.
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A person takes a video as pilgrims perform Tawaf, the rite of circumambulating the Kaaba.
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Pilgrims pray in the evening near the Kaaba.
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A Saudi security officer watches as pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba
Hajj 2022: Saudi Arabia aims to keep pilgrimage clean and eco-friendly
The Grand Mosque will continuously be sterilised throughout the day and night
Mariam Nihal
03 July, 2022
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