image sourced from original article at The annual Hajj pilgrimage has officially begun in Saudi Arabia, drawing more than 1.5 million pilgrims from outside the country. The gathering takes place amid sweltering heat and regional tensions linked to a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war. Despite the challenges, Muslims from around the world have traveled to fulfill one of the central pillars of Islam.
Pilgrims in Mecca have begun by circling the cube-shaped Kaaba at the Grand Mosque before moving to a vast tent city in the nearby desert. Over several days, they will carry out a series of sacred rituals that hold deep spiritual significance, with many seeking forgiveness and renewal. For some, the journey represents the culmination of years of prayer, saving, and waiting for official permission to attend.
As temperatures soar, worshippers are using umbrellas and handheld fans to cope with the heat, while volunteers distribute water and provide cooling mist. The pilgrimage unites Muslims of diverse backgrounds, languages, and social classes, fostering a powerful sense of shared faith and global community.
