Millions of Muslim pilgrims will be converging on Saudi Arabia in the coming days for the annual Haj. Ahead of the gathering, Saudi Arabia’s special forces held a military parade in Mecca.
Updated: September 29, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Saudi military parade as Haj pilgrims converge in Mecca
About two million Muslims are expected to congregate in Mecca for the Haj. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
While pilgrims are united by their common religious bond, this year’s Haj comes with Muslim countries drawn together by widespread revulsion toward the ISIL militant group. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo
The Haj will be performed under tight after Saudi Arabia, the UAE and three other Arab countries, joined a coalition of countries to combat ISIL. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo
To decrease the risk of attacks and other dangers, Saudi Arabia has over the past few years significantly boosted security for the Haj. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
A security force of around 60,000 officers will also be dispatched. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
The British contractor G4S will provide additional assistance. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
These measures complement other recent efforts to step up security, including a high-tech fence that will protect its borders and the reported procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Saudi Arabia is also on alert to protect pilgrims from two deadly viruses, Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-Cov). Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo
Every Haj visitor will be given a health-screening card which asks whether the traveller has been to an Ebola-infected country or had contact with an Ebola patient. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo
In June the World Health Organisation said a surge in Mers cases had receded but countries should remain vigilant ahead of pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo
The ministry advised elderly people and those with heart, kidney and other chronic diseases not to make the pilgrimage. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo
The Haj has in recent years been almost incident-free thanks to multi-billion-dollar safety projects by the authorities. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo
Muslim pilgrims leave after the isha prayer at Mecca’s Grand Mosque on September 28, 2014. Mohammed Al Shaikh / AFP Photo