The annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious events in the world, officially began Monday. Roughly two million pilgrims are expected in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the event this year, the first since COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted.
Pilgrims have been doing the ritual circuit around Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba, since arriving in Mecca over recent days.
(Amr Nabil/The Associated Press)
Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba on Sunday. All Muslims are required to make the five-day hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do it.
(Amr Nabil/The Associated Press)
As the last pilgrims circumambulated the Kaaba on
