Around two million people are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the world's largest Muslim gathering.
General view shows Muslim pilgrims circling the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFP
Yet despite being one Islam's most revered places, Saudi Arabia stakes its reputation on organising Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is expected to attend at least once in their lifetime. It's prestige was damaged by the 2015 stampede in the Mina neighbourhood of Mecca, where 2,000 people died, making it the highest death toll since the crush in 1990.
Members of Saudi security forces take part in a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersMembers of Saudi security forces take part in a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef, the interior minister, arrives to a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersPilots of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) walk past air ambulance helicopters before the beginning of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia's holy Muslim city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPA member of Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) walks past ambulances before the beginning of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia's holy Muslim city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFP
One year later, efforts are being made to strengthen crowd management. Saudi Arabia is issuing pilgrims with electronic bracelets and has installed more surveillance cameras to avoid a repeat of the events 2015. Concerns have also been raised about militant violence, following a suicide bomber who killed four soldiers in early July, in the nearby city of Medina.
Syrian Hajj pilgrims heading to Mecca wait to board an airplane at Beirut international airport, LebanonAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersMuslim pilgrims travel along the streets of Saudi Arabia's holy Muslim city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPMuslim pilgrims walk in the streets of Saudi Arabia's holy city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPMuslim pilgrims walk in the streets of Saudi Arabia's holy Muslim city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPA Muslim pilgrim covers his face with a mask as she walks in the streets of Saudi Arabia's holy city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPA Muslim pilgrim holds a parasol as she walks in the streets of Saudi Arabia's holy city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPMuslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ Reuters
Thousands of civil servants, security personnel and medics have been conducting drills in preparation for the pilgrimage, which officially starts on 9 September. "The scheduling programme is the most important part of the operational programme," Interior Ministry spokesman Major General Mansour Turki told Reuters. Electronic paths and gates have also been set up, to manage the crowds heading to Jamarat – a Hajj ritual which involves stoning the three pillars that represent the devil – where many previous disasters have occurred, according to Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.
Local media has reported that approximately one million pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage.
A Muslim pilgrim takes a photo using a selfie stick, at the Grand mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersMuslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPMuslim pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersMuslim pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersMuslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of MeccaAhmad Gharabli/ AFPMuslim pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersWomen look on as Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersMuslim pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ ReutersMuslim pilgrims pray near Kaaba at the Grand mosque in MeccaAhmed Jadallah/ Reuters
