In pictures: A pilgrimage of the faithful

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  A Muslim pilgrim touches a rock as she prays on Mount Arafat, near Mecca, during one of the Hajj rituals on October 3, 2014. The pilgrims perform a series of rituals during the annual Hajj. They circumambulate the kaaba seven times, runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drink from the Zamzam Well, goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, and throws stones in a ritual Stoning of Devil. The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate Eid al-Adha holiday. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH

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  Muslim pilgrims arrive for the afternoon prayer at Mecca's Grand Mosque, home of the cube-shaped Kaaba or "House of God" that Muslims believe was built by Abraham 4,000 years ago, on September 29, 2014 as hundreds of thousands of Muslim worshipers started pouring into the holy city for the annual hajj pilgrimage. This year's hajj comes as the authorities strive to protect pilgrims from two deadly viruses, Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus or MERS. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH

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  Muslim pilgrims arrive for a prayer at Mecca's Grand Mosque, home of the cube-shaped Kaaba or "House of God" that Muslims believe was built by Abraham 4,000 years ago, on September 30, 2014. Hundreds of thousands of Muslim worshipers started pouring into the holy city for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. This year's Hajj comes as the authorities strive to protect pilgrims from two deadly viruses, Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus or MERS. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH

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  Pilgrims from all over the world gather on Mount Arafat, near Mecca, on Friday to take part in one of the many rituals required of those who perform Haj. Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba seven times, travel between the hills of Al Safa and Al Marwah, drink from the Zamzam well, stand vigil on the plains of Mount Arafat and throw pebbles in a ritual stoning of the devil.

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  Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, near Mecca, to take part in one of the Hajj rituals on October 3, 2014. The pilgrims perform a series of rituals during the annual Hajj. They circumambulate the kaaba seven times, runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drink from the Zamzam Well, goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, and throws stones in a ritual Stoning of Devil. The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate Eid al-Adha holiday. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH

Each year, millions of pilgrims converge on the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims are required to complete the journey and its attendant rituals at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially able to do so. The moving and life-affirming experience as the faithful from all over the world perform their religious duty is captured here by AFP photographer Mohammed Al Shaikh.