The pilgrimage of Hajj has begun as crowds of Muslims donning white robes circle the Kaaba, the cubed structure at the epicentre of Islam’s holiest site, their prayers ringing through the air.
The annual pilgrimage began on Sunday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia with the tawaf, the circling of the Kaaba, in an event that is expected to break attendance records.
Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual haj at the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
More than 2.5 million Muslims are expected to take part, as coronavirus pandemic restrictions in place since 2020 have been fully relaxed.
A Muslim pilgrim visits Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Quran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyMuslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj at the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 25. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyDoves fly around Muslim pilgrims outside the holy Kaaba, as people start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyA Sudanese Muslim family walk outside the holy Kaaba, as they arrive from Sudan to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyMuslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Quran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyPeople rest during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the Mina area, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 26. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyA man sits among birds outside the holy Kaaba, as people start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS /Mohamed Abd El GhanyPeople walk during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the Mina area, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 26. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyMuslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Quran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyA Muslim pilgrim prays during a visit to Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Quran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Makhah, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyA man pushes a woman in a wheelchair during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the Mina area, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 26. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyGeneral view of the holy city of Makkah, ahead of the annual haj, Saudi Arabia, June 25. Saudi Press Agency/via REUTERSMuslim pilgrims are seen after performing Al-Esha prayer at the holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS /Mohamed Abd El GhanyMuslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyTents are seen ready in the Mina area for pilgrims to do pilgrimage rituals, as Muslims start arriving to perform the annual haj, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 25. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyA Muslim pilgrim carries an umbrella outside the holy Kaaba, as people start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyA view of the holy city of Mecca on the day Muslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Quran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in Saudi Arabia, June 24. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
