In pictures: Haj in 1975

Pilgrims offer prayer.

The Kaaba in 1975.

Pilgrims rest during Haj 1975.

Mecca was a different place then, more mountainous, no skyscrapers, strewn with traditional homes along its terrain. Besides the actual risks from illnesses, fires, and stampedes, the trip to the holy city was riddled with difficulties and danger, including highwaymen and scam artists.

Haj pilgrim's tent city around Mecca in 1975.

In 1975 the weather was cool during Haj with a million and a half pilgrims, compared to today’s three million plus worshippers.

Every year Saudi Arabia spends millions on expansions to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

The five star hotels around the Grand Mosque, the shops and commercialisation of Mecca has transformed a once simple town into a bustling and expensive modern city.

A haj pilgrim estimates it cost him about Dh1000 per person to do Haj in1975. Costs have gone up at least twenty five times since then.

Pilgrims who have gone back to Mecca after many years say they barely recognise it from these photographs of nearly 40 years ago.

Memories of a Haj pilgrimage nearly 40 years ago reveal that Mecca has changed beyond recognition even if the message of the Prophet Mohammed is that same. All photos from the Al Ittihad archives