Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
A general view of sunrise over the mountains of the holy city of Mecca during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Security officials patrol a checkpoint between Jeddah and the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Security officials patrol a checkpoint between Jeddah and the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
A nurse wearing a protective mask examines a patient in the emergency department at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital in Mecca. According to hospital director Dr. Mohammad bin Omar, the hospital did not record any cases of pilgrims bearing the MERS coronavirus or Ebola virus. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim crouches as he exits and makes his way down Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim crouches as he exits and makes his way down Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel, in the holy city of Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims try to enter Hera cave, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel, at the top of Mount Al-Noor during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Al-Noor in the holy city of Mecca, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in Hera cave, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim prays on Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in the Hera cave, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim wears a protective mask in the emergency department at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital in Mecca. According to hospital director Dr. Mohammad bin Omar, the hospital did not record any cases of pilgrims bearing the MERS coronavirus or Ebola virus. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
A vendor sells prayer beads on Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in the Hera cave, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Al-Noor in the holy city of Mecca, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in Hera cave, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims attempt to enter the Hera cave, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel, at the top of Mount Al-Noor during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Al-Noor in the holy city of Mecca, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in Hera cave, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
Published Oct 1, 2014
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The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims.
The Hajj must be carried out at least once in lifetime by every adult Muslim who is physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and can support his family during his absence.
