Muslim worshippers perform the evening prayers at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine. (Photo: BANDAR ALDANDANI via Getty Images)
The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, as some 2 million people flock to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to participate in one of Islam’s five pillars of faith. Every year, the pilgrimage roughly doubles the number of people sharing space in Mecca, a city that’s home to roughly 2 million residents.
The pilgrimage falls between Aug. 30 and Sept. 3 this year, though Muslims from around the world typically begin arriving in Mecca in the days and weeks leading up to the official start date.
It’s considered an obligation for observant Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.
During the pilgrimage, Muslims from all over the world gather together for five days to pray as one community and celebrate the history of their faith. From the Masjid Al Haram, or Grand Mosque, complex to the hills of Mina, the rites include circling the Kaaba seven times and visiting sites of historical and religious importance.
The holiday of Eid al-Adha takes place several days into Hajj and commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience of God. This year, Eid al-Adha falls on Friday, Sept. 1.
Pilgrims are required to obtain a special Hajj visa and travel with their passport and proof of vaccination. Mansour Al-Turki, a spokesperson for the kingdom’s Interior Ministry, told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday that over 450,000 were turned away for lack of legitimate visas.
Hajj has suffered several major accidents and security issues, including a number of stampedes in recent years that have killed hundreds of pilgrims at a time.
In spite of security risks, Hajj offers pilgrims an experience that can be both physically challenging and spiritually fulfilling. As one pilgrim previously described to HuffPost: “Hajj requires extreme effort but then offers extreme beauty, peace and joy in return.”
Scroll down for a peek at this year’s Hajj pilgrimage:
Muslim worshippers, some carrying umbrellas to protect them from the scorching sun, gather for prayer at Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy), where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his final sermon.
Pilgrims are seen gathered on the Mount Arafat.
Pilgrims are seen as they pray on the Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy).
Muslim pilgrims take a selfie at the Grand Mosque in the holy Saudi city of Mecca.
Muslim worshippers perform the evening (Isha) prayers at the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca.
A Muslim pilgrim reads the Quran in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on the eve of the Day of Arafat -- the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Muslim pilgrims gather in the holy city of Mecca before heading to Mina for the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy Saudi city of Mecca.
A young girl looks on as Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy Saudi city of Mecca.
Muslim pilgrims sit and circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque.
Muslim worshippers pray outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
A Muslim man uses his cell phone as pilgrims walk and pray on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca.
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Pilgrims in 1920 at the Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the most sacred site in the Islamic religion.
Mecca's great mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 1922.
CIRCA 1935: Aerial view of the Mecca with the porticoes which surround the Ka'bah.
The Kaaba in the centre of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 21st March 1967.
The Kaaba in the centre of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, circa 1979.
Picture dated May 1988 shows Muslim pilgrims during the Hajj in Mecca.
MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA: Aerial view of the holy Kaaba in the holy city of Mecca 17 March 2000.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims throng Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest shrine, late 11 December 2001 to mark the 27th night of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, known as Lailat al-Qadr.
Muslims pray 23 January 2004 at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the hajj, which begins on January 30.
MECCA SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 14: Muslim pilgrims pray around the holist Al-Ka'aba mosque January 14, 2005 in Mecca Saudi Arabia.
An aerial view shows the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, amid booming construction in the Saudi city of Mecca on December 9, 2008.
A picture shows the under construction Mecca Royal Clock Tower hotel complex in the holy Saudi city of Mecca on April 13, 2010.
An aerial view shows Muslim pilgrims walking around the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of the holy city of Mecca on August 6, 2012.
The tallest clock tower in the world with the world's largest clock face at the Abraj Al-Bait Towers overlooks the Grand Mosque and its expansion in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013.
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