Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 26, 2023, before heading to Mina in preparation for the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam and one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. AP
The Hajj pilgrimage is mandatory once in a lifetime for non-disabled Muslims who can afford it, and it's considered one of the five pillars of Islam.
Millions of Muslims worldwide perform the Hajj during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah, in the holy city of Mecca each year.
The Hajj pilgrimage lasts five to six days and is one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings.
Hajj rituals commenced on Sunday at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Buses that are used to transport pilgrims, parked at a station in the holy city of Mecca, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
On Monday night, the worshippers will sleep in tents in Mina before heading to Mount Arafat on Tuesday, which marks the climax of Hajj. It's the location where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon.
Pilgrims cast pebbles in the stoning of the devil ritual on Wednesday, which marks the start of the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Afterwards, they return to Mecca to perform a farewell "Tawaf" by circling the Kaaba seven times.
According to SPA, the tents in Mina are established with security, safety, and environmental suitability in mind. They have over 3,000 surveillance cameras and 30,000 fire-fighting sprinklers, 12,000 headphones for guidance and alerts, 15,000 air conditioning and ventilation units, toilets, wudu (ablution) areas, electrical power distribution equipment, kitchens, and waste disposal areas.
Buses that are used to transport pilgrims, parked at a station in the holy city of Mecca, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
The tents in Mina are usually eight square metres, but they can also be 6x8 or 12x8 metres. Additionally, there's a fleet of 320 ambulances, six air ambulances, nine motorcycles, four golf carts, four medical supply vehicles, and 16 response vehicles and service cars for pilgrims. These services are supported by 1,288 medical cadres, according to SPA.
Security forces patrol during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, near Islam's holy city of Mecca on June 25, 2023. AFP
This picture shows a night view of tents housing Muslim pilgrims in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca on June 25, 2023, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
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