Muslim pilgrims pray at the top of Mount Noor. Around two million are
expected to perform the ritual which every able-bodied Muslim is
required to do once in a lifetime.
Officials say the main events, which begin Wednesday, are expected to
attract more than two million devotees from across the world.
Thursday marks the most important day, when all pilgrims assemble in the
Arafat plain outside Mecca.
The pilgrimage ends after Eid al-Adha, or
the Feast of Sacrifice, which will be celebrated on Friday.
The haj is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once in lifetime.
A Muslim pilgrim gestures at the top of Mount Noor. Saudi Arabian
authorities said more than 1.6 million foreign pilgrims have already
arrived and the numbers are set to grow.
The mountain, known in Arabic as Jabal-al-noor or the Mountain of Light
is the site of Hira Cave which is where Muslims believe Mohammed
received his first revelations from God through the angel Gabriel.
Millions of pilgrims are set to descend on Mecca this week to perform
the haj, the world's largest annual gathering of any kind which
authorities in Saudi Arabia insist will not be affected by instability
shaking the region.
A stunning view of the Grand Mosque captured from the top of Noor
Mountain. Over two million Muslims are expected to make the pilgrimage
to Mecca this year.
Authorities said more than 1.6 million foreign pilgrims have already
arrived and the numbers are set to grow by Wednesday.
Around 750,000
domestic pilgrims are also expected to take part in the rituals
Muslim pilgrims arrive at the Hira cave near the top of Noor mountain, known in Arabic as Jabal-al-noor
Muslim pilgrims pray at the top of Noor Mountain, near the entrance to Hira cave on the outskirts of Mecca.
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