2 million pilgrims expected at this year's annual Hajj pilgrimage

Muslim pilgrims in Mecca circled the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, officially opening the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Monday.  ...read more

Share Via

Copy Link

1 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on June 25. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca for the largest Hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam's five pillars. (Amr Nabil / AP)

2 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

Thousands of pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca on June 25.  Ayedh al-Ghweinim, a spokesman for the Saudi Hajj Ministry told AP, “More than 1.8 million pilgrims from all over the world have already amassed in and around Mecca for the Hajj, and the number was still growing as more pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia joined” (Amr Nabil / AP)

3 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

Muslim pilgrims arrive in Mina, near Islam's holy city of Mecca on June 26. Authorities have said they expect this year's numbers to approach pre-COVID levels of more than 2 million, reported AP. (Sajjad Hussain / AFP)

4 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

Tents housing pilgrims are seen pitched together in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, on June 23. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do it, reported AP. ( Sajjad Hussain / AFP)

5 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

A volunteer hands out food packages offered by the residents of Mecca to pilgrims, as Muslims from around the world arrive to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage on June 23. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do it, reported AP. ( Sajjad Hussain / AFP)

6 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

Muslim pilgrims crowd Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage on June 27. Temperatures soared to 46 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) on Monday as robed worshippers shielded by umbrellas journeyed from Mecca to Mina, reported AFP.  ( Sajjad Hussain / AFP)

7 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

Water mist is sprayed on pilgrims as they pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on June 27. High temperatures have been a constant challenge for the pilgrims, who come from around the world, the mercury hit 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) before midday on the hajj's most physically demanding day, reported AFP. (Amr Nabil / AP)

8 / 8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jun 28, 2023 11:19 AM IST

Muslim pilgrims pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat on June 27. The pilgrims pray all day at Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his final sermon, they will then travel the short distance to Muzdalifah, where they will sleep in the open air. (Amr Nabil / AP)