Millions of Muslims begin Hajj pilgrimage
Millions of Muslim worshipers from across the world have started the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, with the rituals taking place over a period of several days and culminating in Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice).
Saudi authorities have described this year’s event as the “biggest” Hajj pilgrimage in years, as more than two million people from over 160 countries were said to have attended the annual religious gathering.
This year, the maximum age limit has been scrapped, meaning thousands of elderly people will be among those braving Saudi Arabia’s scorching heat that is projected to reach 44 degrees Celsius.
Hajj pilgrimage is one of the pillars of Islam that Muslims who enjoy financial self-sufficiency are religiously obliged to perform at least once in their lifetime.
This year, the first groups of Hajj pilgrims left Iran for Saudi Arabia on May 24.