• Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah, as Muslim pilgrims from around the world arrive for the Hajj. AFP
    Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah, as Muslim pilgrims from around the world arrive for the Hajj. AFP
  • Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. AFP
    Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. AFP
  • Members of the Saudi special forces for Hajj and Umrah (SFHU), perform a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the COVID-19 pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam's five pillars. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)
    Members of the Saudi special forces for Hajj and Umrah (SFHU), perform a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the COVID-19 pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam's five pillars. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)
  • The parade included female members of the Saudi security forces. AFP
    The parade included female members of the Saudi security forces. AFP
  • A helicopter in the parade. Reuters
    A helicopter in the parade. Reuters
  • Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. Reuters
    Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. Reuters
  • Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. Reuters
    Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. Reuters
  • Saudi security forces pray during the parade. AFP
    Saudi security forces pray during the parade. AFP
  • Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. AFP
    Members of the Saudi security forces participate in a military parade in Makkah. AFP
  • Military vehicles were part of the parade. AFP
    Military vehicles were part of the parade. AFP
  • Banners showing Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. AP
    Banners showing Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. AP
  • A member of the Saudi special forces for Hajj and Umrah. AP
    A member of the Saudi special forces for Hajj and Umrah. AP
  • More members of the Saudi special forces. AP
    More members of the Saudi special forces. AP
  • Special forces abseil down a building at the parade. AP
    Special forces abseil down a building at the parade. AP
  • Makkah is ready for the largest Hajj since the pandemic severely curtailed access. AP
    Makkah is ready for the largest Hajj since the pandemic severely curtailed access. AP

Gulf

Saudi Arabia's security forces hold parade in preparation for Hajj - in pictures

Military forces were on show in Makkah as pilgrims from around the world arrive in the kingdom

The National

June 22, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic
Updated: June 22, 2023, 12:10 PM
Saudi ArabiaHajj 2025