Nearly two million Muslim pilgrims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The journey started with pilgrims circling the Kaaba in Mecca, then moving to Mina, where they will spend the night in prayer.
On Thursday, they will ascend Mount Arafat, the key ritual of Hajj. Saudi authorities have reported over 1.47 million arrivals so far, with the total expected to reach around two million including local pilgrims.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is a spiritual obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
