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Saudi security forces have paraded through Mecca ahead of Hajj, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top officials among those watching. SPA via Reuters
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Saudi security forces have paraded through Mecca ahead of Hajj, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top officials among those watching. SPA via Reuters
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The military display took place late on Wednesday. SPA via Reuters
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Between two and three million Muslims from around the world are expected to travel to Mecca for this year's Hajj, due to take place at the beginning of next month. Bandar AlDandani / AFP Photo
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For the first time since a diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia and its neighbour Qatar erupted in June, the Saudi authorities opened the border crossing to let Qatari pilgrims in. Bandar AlDandani / AFP Photo
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Nearly 90,000 Iranians are also set to attend this year's Hajj, after Tehran boycotted the annual pilgrimage last year amid tensions with Riyadh. Bandar AlDandani / AFP Photo
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Helicopters fly troops in. SPA via Reuters
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Members of Saudi security forces salute. SPA via Reuters
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Saudi security forces have paraded through Mecca ahead of Hajj, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top officials among those watching. SPA via Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C62474CVUFTTUVHVY2VIMW3NRA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a7b8d09f9dac360d67dc727e0ca703582642ec98e93e07b4d99d4328efa04ac5&width=400&height=225)
Saudi security forces have paraded through Mecca ahead of Hajj, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top officials among those watching. SPA via Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O32TEAKKDANVVUMNVMWD3X3TIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=36c5b3cf58626276963843222182e80e979f4e9e8f5b814ab07333a5fc2d4336&width=400&height=225)
The military display took place late on Wednesday. SPA via Reuters
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Between two and three million Muslims from around the world are expected to travel to Mecca for this year's Hajj, due to take place at the beginning of next month. Bandar AlDandani / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XYY473WT3MQH65E2PZPQFTBFWY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3309190498dfbaf0229bb6d28602941a14dca9ab1978e99150483fb0e3d6acfe&width=400&height=225)
For the first time since a diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia and its neighbour Qatar erupted in June, the Saudi authorities opened the border crossing to let Qatari pilgrims in. Bandar AlDandani / AFP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HBZHSPE76FSB7W7P6U6F4DSFAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb72473aa6e589537d07c829a78bdf39e160d05f3b1ea6a9c74cc09bff7465d2&width=400&height=225)
Nearly 90,000 Iranians are also set to attend this year's Hajj, after Tehran boycotted the annual pilgrimage last year amid tensions with Riyadh. Bandar AlDandani / AFP Photo
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Helicopters fly troops in. SPA via Reuters
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Members of Saudi security forces salute. SPA via Reuters
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Saudi security forces have paraded through Mecca ahead of Hajj, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top officials among those watching. SPA via Reuters
Watch: Saudi forces parade through Mecca ahead of Hajj
Between two and three million Muslims from around the world are expected to travel to the city for this year's annual pilgrimage, due to take place at the beginning of next month
Naser Al Wasmi
24 August, 2017
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