MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia has begun. It’s required once in a lifetime by every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. The Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, occurs once a year during the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year.
A Muslim pilgrim prays during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on the Plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims arrive at 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Muslim pilgrim uses a mobile phone to read chapters from the holy Quran atop 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray on 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pose for a photo on 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims gather a 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims offer prayers 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims offer prayers 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray on 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Cooling fans spray water over Muslim pilgrims gathered atop 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Muslim pilgrim prays during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on the Plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims leave the evening prayers outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabi)
Algerian pilgrims ride a bus from Mecca to Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Muslim pilgrim plays with pigeons outside the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Pilgrims prepare to ride a bus from Mecca to Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
An Afghan Muslim pilgrim, looks on as he prepares to enter the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabi)
Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Muslim pilgrim enters the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Pilgrims wash for prayers near 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
An Afghan elderly pilgrim on a wheel chair is pushed by her son, during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Egyptian pilgrims share an umbrella outside the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage at the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims stand in front the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims gather a 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, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
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