In pictures: Hajj 2016
Nearly 1.5 million people are set to begin the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia today
Pillgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. PHOTO: REUTERS
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.
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.