Muslims congregate for Eid prayers as Zilhaj concludes

With the Islamic month of Zilhaj concluding in many places, Muslims the world over started celebrating Eidul Azha.

Over 2 million pilgrims begin Hajj today

Scores of pilgrims gathered at the holy mosques of Mecca and Medina, early in the day, for Eid prayers. Thereafter, they proceeded to Mina in connection with ritual animal sacrifice.

Over two million Muslims from places the world over on Sunday started performing the Hajj at Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.


Most began moving from Makkah to nearby Mina where they camped in fire-resistant tents. Many made the aforementioned journey on foot in scorching temperatures.

In Pictures: Hajj 2018

On Monday, pilgrims reciting the Holy Quran scaled Mount Arafat for the climax of the hajj. After sunset, pilgrims headed to Muzdalifah, half-way between Arafat and Mina, where they stayed till midnight. They gathered pebbles to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil on the eve of the Eidul Azha feast, which marks the end of Hajj.