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GCC 27-05-2026 | 08:24

Photos of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca

More than 1.7 million Muslims converged on Mina before dawn on Wednesday to perform the symbolic stoning ritual marking the start of Eid

Photos of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca

Muslim pilgrims pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims read a copy of Islam's holy book Quran atop of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims are silhouetted as they pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A Muslim pilgrim pray atop of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A cat is seen in the foreground as Muslim pilgrims pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

s pray in front of the rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims hold umbrellas as they leave after offering noon prayers at Namirah mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on the Plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims touch the walls of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims arrive at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as heightened regional tensions linked to the war involving Iran cast a shadow over this year’s gathering at Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia.