Millions of Muslims converge for Haj
- 10 years ago
More than two million pilgrims have arrived in Mecca for the annual Haj pilgrimage, the world's largest annual gathering of Muslims.
Three million pilgrims are expected to visit Mecca this year, Saudi authorities say.
Visitors, wearing the simple white folds of cloth which are prescribed for Haj, circle around the Kaaba, a cuboid building at the centre of Islam's most sacred mosque, Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. It's part of a pilgrimage that the Five Pillars of Islam says must be performed by every Muslim at least once in their lifetime as long as they are able.
Haj is a religious journey that is viewed as one of the Muslim faith's greatest acts of worship.
It occurs in the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hijjah.
Three million pilgrims are expected to visit Mecca this year, Saudi authorities say.
Visitors, wearing the simple white folds of cloth which are prescribed for Haj, circle around the Kaaba, a cuboid building at the centre of Islam's most sacred mosque, Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. It's part of a pilgrimage that the Five Pillars of Islam says must be performed by every Muslim at least once in their lifetime as long as they are able.
Haj is a religious journey that is viewed as one of the Muslim faith's greatest acts of worship.
It occurs in the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hijjah.