Haj 2013: journey to Mecca
1/24Muslim pilgrims pray at Grand mosque in holy city of Mecca, ahead of annual haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
2/24Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims ascend Mount Al-Noor ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca October 10, 2013. Mount Al-Noor houses Ghar-E-Hira or Hira cave, where Prophet Mohammad is said to have spent a great deal of time in the cave meditating and it is believed that he had received his first revelation inside this cave. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
3/24Muslim pilgrims ascend Mount Al-Noor ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca
Muslim pilgrims ascend Mount Al-Noor ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca October 10, 2013. Mount Al-Noor houses Ghar-E-Hira or Hira cave, where Prophet Mohammad is said to have spent a great deal of time in the cave meditating and it is believed that he had received his first revelation inside this cave. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
4/24Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
5/24Muslim pilgrims pray at Grand mosque in Mecca, ahead of annual haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)]()
6/24Muslim pilgrims pray at Grand mosque in Mecca, ahead of annual haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims attend Friday prayers at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
7/24Muslim pilgrims attend Friday prayers at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims attend Friday prayers at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Members of Saudi security forces secure the area as Muslim pilgrims wait to enter the Grand mosque during Friday prayers in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
8/24Members of Saudi security forces secure the area as Muslim pilgrims wait to enter the Grand mosque during Friday prayers in Mecca
Members of Saudi security forces secure the area as Muslim pilgrims wait to enter the Grand mosque during Friday prayers in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![A Muslim pilgrim reads the Koran as he attends Friday prayers at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
9/24A Muslim pilgrim reads the Koran as he attends Friday prayers at the Grand mosque in Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage
A Muslim pilgrim reads the Koran as he attends Friday prayers at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![A Muslim pilgrim prays at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
10/24A Muslim pilgrim prays at the Grand mosque in Mecca
A Muslim pilgrim prays at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
11/24Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in Mecca
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![A Muslim pilgrim rests near the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
12/24A Muslim pilgrim rests near the Grand Mosque in Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage
A Muslim pilgrim rests near the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims walk past pigeons near the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION ANIMALS)]()
13/24Muslim pilgrims walk past pigeons near the Grand Mosque in Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims walk past pigeons near the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION ANIMALS)REUTERS![A Muslim pilgrim shops at a jewelry store ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca October 12, 2013. Economic hardships brought about by Arab Spring uprisings have taken a toll on jewelry retail trade in Saudi Arabia's Muslim holy city of Mecca, slashing gold sales by more than half compared to the same period last year, retailers said. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY BUSINESS)]()
14/24A Muslim pilgrim shops at a jewelry store ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca
A Muslim pilgrim shops at a jewelry store ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Mecca October 12, 2013. Economic hardships brought about by Arab Spring uprisings have taken a toll on jewelry retail trade in Saudi Arabia's Muslim holy city of Mecca, slashing gold sales by more than half compared to the same period last year, retailers said. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY BUSINESS)REUTERS![A worker embroiders the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa]()
15/24A worker embroiders the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
A worker embroiders the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaReuters![Workers embroider the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa]()
16/24Workers embroider the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Workers embroider the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaReuters![Relatives of Haj pilgrims wave in the rain, as they see off their relatives who are leaving Ahmedabad for Mecca in Saudi Arabia to take part in the annual religious Haj pilgrimage, September 26, 2013. REUTERS/Amit Dave]()
17/24Relatives of Haj pilgrims wave in the rain, as they see off their relatives who are leaving Ahmedabad for Mecca in Saudi Arabia to take part in the annual religious Haj pilgrimage, September 26, 2013. REUTERS/Amit Dave
Relatives of Haj pilgrims wave in the rain, as they see off their relatives who are leaving Ahmedabad for Mecca in Saudi Arabia to take part in the annual religious Haj pilgrimage, September 26, 2013. REUTERS/Amit Dave![A Muslim pilgrim rests outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
18/24A Muslim pilgrim rests outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage
A Muslim pilgrim rests outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
19/24Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
20/24Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
21/24Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. Picture was taken behind a glass window. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
22/24Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage
Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. Picture was taken behind a glass window. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
23/24Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS![A Muslim pilgrim touches the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)]()
24/24A Muslim pilgrim touches the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage
A Muslim pilgrim touches the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage October 7, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: RELIGION)REUTERS
Updated
Millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage of Haj, the fifth pillar of Islam. This year, Haj falls on October 14.
