Journey to Mecca: Scenes from the haj pilgrimage

An aerial view shows the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabimore

Muslim pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Meccamore

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the more

An aerial view of the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia Jmore

A Muslim pilgrim prays on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the more

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the more

Muslim pilgrims arrive at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Meccamore

Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the more

View shows the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia July 10,more

An aerial view of the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia Jmore

An aerial view of the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia Jmore

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy more

A Muslim pilgrim visits Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the more

Muslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Komore

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy more

Muslims pilgrims sleep on the Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words omore

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 1,more

A Muslim pilgrim prays on the Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words omore

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy more

The Sun sets ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. REUTERmore

A Muslim pilgrim cries next to the Station of Ibrahim "Maqam Ibrahim" in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia more

Muslims pilgrims walk outside  the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 5, 2022.  REUTERmore

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy more

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia July 1, more

Muslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Komore

Muslims pilgrims pray on the Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words ofmore

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia July 1, more

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy at the plain of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the more

Volunteer Abdulrahman al Maani distributes watermelon to pilgrims leaving for Mecca for Haj, in Maan, Jordan, more

A Muslim pilgrim visits Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the more

Workers prepare the Kiswa, a silk cloth that covers the Kaaba, the sacred building at the centre of the Grand more

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy more

Muslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Komore

Muslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Komore

An aerial view of the city of Mecca during the annual haj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia July 10, 2022. REUTERS/Mohamore