About 1.5 million Muslims from over 140 countries began the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, recreating the journey taken by the Prophet Mohammed about 1,400 years ago.
All able-bodied Muslims are required to do Hajj once in their lifetime if they can afford it. During the pilgrimage, women forgo makeup and perfume while men dress in seamless, white robes. These restrictions are meant to emphasize the equality of all man and prevent wealthier pilgrims from differentiating themselves with more elaborate garments.
Pilgrims begin Hajj by circling Kaaba, one of the the holy shrines in Islam, seven times. After spending the night in the massive valley of Mina, they head to Mount Arafat, some 20 kilometers east of Mecca, for the pinnacle of the pilgrimage.
Around sunset, pilgrims head to an area called Muzdalifah, nine kilometers (5.5 miles) west of Arafat. They spend the night there and pick up pebbles along the way that will be used in a symbolic stoning of the devil back in Mina.
In an effort to prevent the re-occurrence of the stampede that led to the death of thousands of pilgrims last year, the Saudi Government has taken a number of safety measures which included the freeing up space in Mina, where the stampede took place, government facilities have been moved out of the area and the roads near the Jamarat Bridge have been expanded.
