More than 2 million Muslims have started the first rites of the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which draws people from around the world to the holy city of Mecca to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at erasing past sins.
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Pilgrims walk on a road ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Ahmad Masood / Reuters -
Pilgrims touch Islam’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca. MOhammed Al-Shaikh / AFP -
Pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque. Ahmad Masood / Reuters -
All able-bodied Muslims are required in Islam to perform the Haj once in a lifetime. Ahmad Masood / Reuters -
Pilgrims begin the Haj in Mecca, before heading to the nearby tent city of Mina. Ahmad Masood / Reuters -
Pilgrims wait for bus ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Ahmad Masood / Reuters -
More than 2 million Muslims have begun the first rites of the annual Haj pilgrimage, which draws people from around the world to Mecca. Mosa’ab Elshamy / AP -
A Muslim pilgrim uses an electric wheelchair to circle the Kaaba in the Muslim holy city of Mecca. Mosa’ab Elshamy / AP -
Eighty per cent of international pilgrims come in official Haj delegations from their countries. The other 20 per cent come with tourism companies. Mosa’ab Elshamy / AP -
About 100,000 police have been deployed to secure the hajj, maintain safety of pilgrims, and manage traffic and crowds. Mosa’ab Elshamy / AP
Haj begins in Saudi Arabia - in pictures
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