More than 2 million Muslims from more than 70 countries journey to the holy city of Mecca to make the spiritual pilgrimage known as The Hajj.
© Roslan Rahman / AFP
Many prayed for forgiveness and the welfare of Muslims across the world but for many others it was enough just to be there.
Saudi authorities say more than 1.6 million people have entered Saudi Arabia for the event, the largest religious gathering in the world and a huge logistical and security challenge for the Saudi authorities.
With pilgrims from within the country, both Saudis and foreign workers, the total would be well over 2 million. Some Saudi newspapers said 3 million people were expected.
The pilgrims, dressed in special white robes, jostled for space in the narrow confines of the area where they must spend the afternoon, preferably in reading and prayer to God.
But Muslim scholars say that being on the plain at the required time is enough to validate the pilgrim’s haj.
Some pilgrims slept in tents, picnicked wherever they could find the space to lay their mats or just chatted with friends.
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