Millions of faithful arrive in Makkah to perform Haj

Agencies Published September 21, 2015
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
In this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, thousands of tents are prepared to host millions of Muslim pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage, known as the Haj, in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.— AP
In this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, thousands of tents are prepared to host millions of Muslim pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage, known as the Haj, in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.— AP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims leave after the Asr afternoon prayer at Makkah's Grand Mosque, on September 18, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims leave after the Asr afternoon prayer at Makkah's Grand Mosque, on September 18, 2015. — AFP
A Muslim pilgrim visits the Hiraa cave on Noor mountain on September 19, 2015 as more than a million Muslims from around the world converge the holy city of Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage. — AFP
A Muslim pilgrim visits the Hiraa cave on Noor mountain on September 19, 2015 as more than a million Muslims from around the world converge the holy city of Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims walk down after visiting Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage September 19, 2015. — Reuters
Muslim pilgrims walk down after visiting Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage September 19, 2015. — Reuters
In this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 photo, Saudi security officers monitor live feed screens showing Muslim pilgrims in the holy city of Makkah, along with highways and high density areas, a few days before the annual pilgrimage, known as the Haj, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. — AP
In this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 photo, Saudi security officers monitor live feed screens showing Muslim pilgrims in the holy city of Makkah, along with highways and high density areas, a few days before the annual pilgrimage, known as the Haj, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. — AP
A Muslim pilgrim looks at Makkaf from the top of Noor mountain where the Hiraa cave is located on September 19, 2015 as more than a million Muslims from around the world converge the holy city of Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage. — AFP
A Muslim pilgrim looks at Makkaf from the top of Noor mountain where the Hiraa cave is located on September 19, 2015 as more than a million Muslims from around the world converge the holy city of Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle around the Kaaba, in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. — AP
Muslim pilgrims circle around the Kaaba, in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. — AP
Muslim pilgrims pray near Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray near Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. — AP
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. — AP
Muslim pilgrims take picture near Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims take picture near Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims take picture near Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims take picture near Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
A Muslim pilgrim looks at Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
A Muslim pilgrim looks at Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims circle counter clockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, late on September 20, 2015. — AFP
A Muslim pilgrim holds the tesbih (prayer beads) outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, September 20, 2015. — Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim holds the tesbih (prayer beads) outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, September 20, 2015. — Reuters
A Muslim Pilgrim prays outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, September 20, 2015. — AP
A Muslim Pilgrim prays outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, September 20, 2015. — AP
A Muslim pilgrim reads the Quran inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, September 20, 2015. — AP
A Muslim pilgrim reads the Quran inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, September 20, 2015. — AP
Muslim pilgrims leave after the Asr afternoon prayer at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims leave after the Asr afternoon prayer at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Makkah, on September 20, 2015. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray atop Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, on September 19, 2015. — REUTERS
Muslim pilgrims pray atop Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, on September 19, 2015. — REUTERS
A Muslim pilgrim prays atop Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, on September 19, 2015. — Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim prays atop Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, on September 19, 2015. — Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim prays atop Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, on September 19, 2015. — Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim prays atop Mount Thor in the holy city of Makkah ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, on September 19, 2015. — Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim prays as she visits the Hiraa cave on Noor mountain, on September 19, 2015 as more than a million Muslims from around the world converge the holy city of Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage. — AFP
A Muslim pilgrim prays as she visits the Hiraa cave on Noor mountain, on September 19, 2015 as more than a million Muslims from around the world converge the holy city of Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage. — AFP

MAKKAH: More than 1.2 million pilgrims have already arrived with nearly two million more expected in preparation for what will for many be the highlight of their spiritual lives.

Faithful from around the world including Pakistan have started massing in Makkah-tul Mukarramah for Haj pilgrimage which begins from September 22, 2015.

The Saudi officials said the Haj pilgrimage will go on despite the construction crane crash that took place at Makkah's Grand Mosque due to stormy weather killing at least 107 people and injuring 238.

Read: At least 107 dead as crane crashes into Masjidul Haram

Pilgrims also make their way to Mount Thor where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and his companion Abu Bakr Al-Sadeeq started their journey from Makkah to Medina.

It is believed Mount Thor is where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) hid from the people of Quraish before his Hijra (migration) to Medina.

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Comments (14) Closed
think_then_speak
Sep 21, 2015 06:31pm
hope for a greater good
Recommend 0
Hamaad
Sep 21, 2015 07:23pm
Hope to return one day to the sacred land, Inshallah
Recommend 0
Rasheed Gabol
Sep 21, 2015 10:52pm
SubhanAllah, Brings tears in my eyes.
Recommend 0
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Sep 21, 2015 11:30pm
Life is a pilgrimage. May all pilgrims and their loved ones be blessed with joy and happiness.
Recommend 0
Muhammad Mohiuddin Wajid
Sep 22, 2015 12:43am
Best place on earth.
Recommend 0
AHA
Sep 22, 2015 09:25am
Great to see one of the holiest places on earth.....
Recommend 0
Khwarezmi
Sep 22, 2015 08:32pm
I was there last year ok Hajj-2014. I whish I was there again. More so, I whish I kept my promises to God and stoped sinning.
Recommend 0
rana nasir
Sep 22, 2015 11:22pm
Subhanallah.
Recommend 0
Ghaznavi
Sep 23, 2015 02:30am
I was there in 2011. It was a great spiritual experience. The only distraction were the non stop flashes from phones. I just hope people will engross themselves in the moment and capture it in their minds rather then phones.
Recommend 0
True blue Indian
Sep 23, 2015 08:54am
Thanks for sharing wonderful photos dawn Have a great time in hajj to all Muslim brothers Let every Muslim across the world gets a chance to touch the holy land in their lifetime .. inshallah !!
Recommend 0
Mohammad Amir
Sep 23, 2015 05:22pm
@AHA The holiest place on the earth
Recommend 0
Mohammad Amir
Sep 23, 2015 05:22pm
The best and the most beautiful place on this earth
Recommend 0
Mohammad Amir
Sep 23, 2015 05:23pm
I love it love it love it
Recommend 0
zafar
Sep 23, 2015 07:19pm
Beautiful pictures of the best place on Earth. Day of Arafat (Hajj) today. Best wishes to the Hujjaj!
Recommend 0

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