In pictures: Hajj 2016

Nearly 1.5 million people are set to begin the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia today

From Asia, Africa and points in between, nearly 1.5 million Muslims begin the annual hajj in western Saudi Arabia Saturday, undeterred by a stampede which last year killed around 2,300.

After preliminary rituals this week in Makkah at the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site, the pilgrims will move on Saturday in buses, by train or even on foot in debilitating temperatures exceeding 40 C (100 F) to Mina, about five kilometres (three miles) east.

They are following in the footsteps of their Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who performed the same rituals about 1,400 years ago.The first day of Hajj was traditionally the chance for pilgrims to water their animals and stock up on water. Then they proceed to Mount Arafat, several kilometres away, for the peak of Hajj on Sunday. Mina becomes their base, where an expanse of white fireproof tents can accommodate 2.6 million pilgrims.

Here we look at a series of photos captured as Hajj preparations are underway in Saudi Arabia.

Hajj pilgrims heading to Makkah pose for a picture as they wait at Beirut international airport, Lebanon. PHOTO: REUTERS

Ariel view of the Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Women look on as pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba at Masjid al Haram in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

The Makkah clock tower is seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims touch the Kaaba in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims pray near the Kabbah in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims are seen around the Maqam-e-Ibrahim in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

A couple take a selfie as pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims read the Quran near the Kaaba in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

An elderly pilgrim is being pushed on a wheelchair around the Kabba in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS

An aeriel view of the Kaaba at the Grand mosque. PHOTO: REUTERS

A general view of the Kaaba at Masjid al Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. PHOTO: REUTERS