In Pics | Journey to Mecca
Mount Al-Noor
In this photo, a Muslim pilgrim prays during a visit to Mount Al-Noor. Mount Al-Noor is the place where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Hajj at Mecca
Muslim pilgrims from all over the world come to Mecca for the Hajj. In this photo, pilgrims can be seen trying to beat the heat of Saudi Arabia during their Hajj pilgrimage by using umbrellas.
Muslim pilgrims reach Mecca in large numbers
A man sits among birds outside the holy Kaaba, as people start arriving to perform the annual hajj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca. Thousands of Muslim pilgrims come to Mecca every year for hajj.
Surge in travel costs
Despite the surge in travel costs this year, millions of people have already reached Mecca for hajj.
Umrah
As Muslim pilgrims start arriving in the holy city of Mecca for Hajj, they start their pilgrimage journey by first offering the Al-Esha prayers and performing the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba. Umrah is another form of pilgrimage which can be carried out at any time of the year.
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