2 million Muslims gather in Mecca to worship as Hajj pilgrimage gets underway

More than two million pilgrims have gathered in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform initial rites of the hajj, an Islamic pilgrimage that takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years ago.

The hajj in Islam is meant to be a great equaliser and unifier among Muslims, with pilgrims shedding overt displays of wealth and materialism.

Male pilgrims wear simple terry cloth white garments and women don conservative dress and headscarves, forgoing make-up, nail polish and perfume, in an effort to draw closer to God and engage in intense worship for the five-day hajj.

Over two million pilgrims are starting a journey of faith along the path the Prophet Muhammad traversed 1,400 years ago. The Kaaba (the cube in the centre of the mass of pilgrims) is the most sacred site in Islam and is the focus of the journey.                 The faithful will gather at the Kaaba and circle counter-clockwise and pray in front of the building during the five-day period

Pilgrims pray near the Al-Safa mountain at the Grand Mosque during the Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca

Pilgrims pray near the Al-Safa mountain at the Grand Mosque during the Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca

Two boys on their pilgrimage are photographed at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca wearing traditional clothing

Two boys on their pilgrimage are photographed at a hotel in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca wearing traditional clothing

A 27-year-old woman is shown wearing conservative  dress and headscarf. Women are expected to forgoing make-up, nail polish and perfume, in an effort to draw closer to God and engage in intense worship for the five-day hajj

A 27-year-old woman is shown wearing conservative  dress and headscarf. Women are expected to forgoing make-up, nail polish and perfume, in an effort to draw closer to God and engage in intense worship for the five-day hajj

On Friday, thousands of pilgrims circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site.

They circle the Kaaba counter-clockwise, their hearts tilting towards the structure which symbolises the monotheistic principle of the oneness of God in Islam. Muslims around the world pray towards the Kaaba daily.

The hajj is one of the largest and most diverse gatherings in the world, drawing more than 1.8 million people from around the world this year, according to Saudi officials. Several hundred thousand more pilgrims are Saudi residents or citizens.

Last year, 2.4 million people took part in the hajj, with similar numbers expected this year.

The pilgrimage this year takes place amid a backdrop of political and sectarian tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran and as conflicts continue to flare in Yemen, Syria and Libya.

A Muslim prospective Hajj pilgrim carries a child while circling the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

A Muslim prospective Hajj pilgrim carries a child while circling the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Above is the huge tent city of Mina where pilgrims will spend the night before heading to Arafat on Saturday for the main day

Above is the huge tent city of Mina where pilgrims will spend the night before heading to Arafat on Saturday for the main day

Yemeni pilgrims are shown walking near the tent city of Mina. More than two million pilgrims were recorded in Mecca today. Saudi King Salman made a special invitation to the victims of the New Zealand massacre to perform Hajj this year

Yemeni pilgrims are shown walking near the tent city of Mina. More than two million pilgrims were recorded in Mecca today. Saudi King Salman made a special invitation to the victims of the New Zealand massacre to perform Hajj this year

Muslim minorities around the world also face increased threats, with Uighurs facing repression in China, Rohingya facing genocide in Burma and Kashmiris under a sweeping curfew and communication blackout in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Saudi King Salman invited as his guests this year 200 survivors and relatives of victims of a shooting spree in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a gunman opened fire and killed 51 people in two mosques.

Those on the hajj view the pilgrimage as an opportunity to strengthen the faith, erase past sins and start anew. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, required of all Muslims to perform once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.

To ease the journey, the kingdom recently unveiled the first phase of a new high-speed train connecting pilgrims between holy sites in the cities of Mecca and Medina. The kingdom also has a new e-visa system for pilgrims.

To curb the potential for a viral outbreak of any kind, Saudi Arabia this year stopped issuing visas to people from Congo, citing the Ebola outbreak.

To prevent the possibility of any viral outbreaks this year, Saudi Arabia did not grant visas for people from the Congo. It is mandatory for Muslims to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life

To prevent the possibility of any viral outbreaks this year, Saudi Arabia did not grant visas for people from the Congo. It is mandatory for Muslims to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life

Those on the hajj view the pilgrimage as an opportunity to strengthen the faith, erase past sins and start afresh

Those on the hajj view the pilgrimage as an opportunity to strengthen the faith, erase past sins and start afresh

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently installed a fast train to connect the two holiest Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently installed a fast train to connect the two holiest Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina

 

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