MORE than two million Muslims begin the annual haj as the Saudi hosts seek to deter politicisation of the pilgrimage against a backdrop of simmering Gulf tensions.
The haj, one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives.
It consists of a series of religious rites which are completed over five days in Islam’s holiest city and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia. – August 11, 2019.
Haj pilgrims praying during their pilgrimage in Mount Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The haj, one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, is one of the five pillars of Islam. – EPA pic, August 11, 2019.Pilgrims walking in the rain near Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, as the climax of the haj pilgrimage approaches. – AFP pic, August 11, 2019.Pilgrims praying outside the Namirah mosque at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, as the climax of the haj pilgrimage approaches. – AFP pic, August 11, 2019.Pilgrims praying at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, as the climax of the haj approaches. Mt Arafat is the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon about 14 centuries ago after leading his followers on the pilgrimage. – AFP pic, August 11, 2019.Saudi labourers changing the Kiswa, the protective cover that engulfs the Kaaba which is made from black silk and gold thread and is embroidered with Quranic verses, in Mecca. The drape which engulfs the Kaaba is formally called Kiswa and is changed every year at the culmination of the annual haj when the hajis have left Mecca to go to Arafat, the starting point of their haj journey. – AFP pic, August 11, 2019.Pilgrims praying at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), Mecca, as the climax of the haj pilgrimage approaches. – AFP pic, August 11, 2019.Pilgrims performing tawaf (circling) around the Kaaba inside the al-Haram al-Sharif mosque in preparation of the start of the haj 2019 pilgrimage. Around two million Muslims are at this year’s haj pilgrimage, which is highlighted by the Day of Arafah, one day prior to Eid al-Adha. – EPA pic, August 11, 2019.Haj pilgrims praying in Mount Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. – EPA pic, August 11, 2019.Haj pilgrims praying in Mount Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. – EPA pic, August 11, 2019.A soldier sprinkling water on pilgrims to cool them off as they walk towards Mount Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. – EPA pic, August 11, 2019.Pilgrims collecting pebbles at Muzdalifah near the holy city of Mecca to be used in the Stoning of the Devil ritual in Mina. – AFP pic, August 11, 2019.
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