1.6 million Muslim pilgrims flood into Mecca for haj
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An Iranian female Muslim pilgrim looks towards the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca on Oct 18, 2012. The Arafat Day, when millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage, will be held on Oct 25 and Eid Al-Ahda or the feast of sacrifice will be held on Oct 26, according to an official announcement on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of the holy city of Mecca on Oct 20, 2012. Over two million Muslims from around the world are expected to perform the upcoming Hajj or pilgrimage. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A pigeon flies near the minarets of the Grand Mosque, (left), and Mount Al-Noor at Friday prayers during the annual haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca on Oct 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Muslim pilgrims arrive with their luggage in the coastal city of Jeddah, on Oct 20, 2012. Over two million Muslims from around the world are expected to perform the upcoming Hajj or pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. -- PHOTO: AFP
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An Egyptian Muslim pilgrim wears a medical face mask after a prayer session along a street near the surrounding area of the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca on Oct 20, 2012. On Oct 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Members of the Saudi security forces take part in a military parade in preparation for the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca on Oct 20, 2012. On Oct 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. The security forces are tasked to keep guard during the pilgrimage. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
An Iranian female Muslim pilgrim looks towards the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca on Oct 18, 2012. The Arafat Day, when millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage, will be held on Oct 25 and Eid Al-Ahda or the feast of sacrifice will be held on Oct 26, according to an official announcement on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of the holy city of Mecca on Oct 20, 2012. Over two million Muslims from around the world are expected to perform the upcoming Hajj or pilgrimage. -- PHOTO: AFP
A pigeon flies near the minarets of the Grand Mosque, (left), and Mount Al-Noor at Friday prayers during the annual haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca on Oct 19, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Muslim pilgrims arrive with their luggage in the coastal city of Jeddah, on Oct 20, 2012. Over two million Muslims from around the world are expected to perform the upcoming Hajj or pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. -- PHOTO: AFP
An Egyptian Muslim pilgrim wears a medical face mask after a prayer session along a street near the surrounding area of the Grand Mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca on Oct 20, 2012. On Oct 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Members of the Saudi security forces take part in a military parade in preparation for the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca on Oct 20, 2012. On Oct 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. The security forces are tasked to keep guard during the pilgrimage. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
MECCA (AFP) - Muslim pilgrims have been descending in droves on Mecca for the haj, the world's largest annual gathering which Saudi Arabia insists will not be affected by instability shaking the region.
Walking in groups, mostly led by guides with their countries' flags printed on their garments, faithful men and women have poured into Mecca to perform the minor pilgrimage, or umrah, ahead of the major haj rituals.
Officials say the main events, which begin on Wednesday, are expected to attract more than two million devotees from across the world.
Thursday marks the most important day, when all pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain outside Mecca. The pilgrimage ends after Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, which will be celebrated on Friday.
