Pilgrims gather at Grand Mosque in Makkah ahead of Hajj - in pictures

This year, Hajj begins on August 9.

Muslim pilgrims touch the golden door of the Kaaba as they pray ahead of Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP

Muslim pilgrims walk towards the Grand mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba ahead of Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP

A Muslim pilgrim embraces the wall of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AP

Muslim pilgrims pray as they circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP

A Muslim pilgrim prays in front of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AP

The tallest clock tower in the world with the world's largest clock face, atop the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, overshadows Muslim pilgrims as they circumambulate around the Kaaba in Makkah. AP

Muslim pilgrims greet the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, as they gather ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AP

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