Pilgrims gather in Makkah as Hajj season begins - in pictures

Annual pilgrimage takes place during the Islamic calendar month of Dhu Al Hijjah

Pilgrims pray upon their arrival in Mina, near Islam's holy city of Makkah. AFP

A view of Mina, 'the city of tents', south-east of Makkah. AFP

Pilgrims walk round the Kaaba, the sacred cube-shaped building at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, as they arrive to perform the Hajj. Reuters

Hajj pilgrims gather on the Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat, outside the holy city of Makkah. Reuters

A member of security staff sprays water to help a pilgrim stay cool in Mina, as temperatures passed 40°C. AFP

Pilgrims walking through the Grand Mosque. Photo: Hajj Ministry

Pilgrims in front of the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque. AP

Pilgrims walk around the Kaaba, the sacred cube-shaped building at the centre of the Grand Mosque. AP

Nigerian pilgrims outside the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AP

Sudanese pilgrim Um Safaa, who came from Port Sudan for the Hajj, outside the Grand Mosque. AP

Afghan Hajj pilgrims wait outside the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP

A pigeon flies by as Iranian pilgrims pose for a selfie outside the Grand Mosque. AP

A woman visits Mount Al Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammed received the first words of the Quran in the Hira cave, in Makkah. Reuters

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque. Reuters

Muslim worshippers and pilgrims gather around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, in the holy city of Makkah, as they arrive for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

A worshipper uses his phone to film the crowd of pilgrims around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque. AFP

The annual pilgrimage takes place during Dhu Al Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. AFP

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate anti-clockwise around the Kaaba. Seven complete circuits constitute Tawaf, one of the principal rites of Hajj. AP

A general view of the Grand Mosque is seen from the Clock Tower during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Makkah. AP

The Kiswa, the cloth used to cover the Kaaba, and the Kaaba's gold doors underneath. The Kiswa is draped every year on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah. AFP

Pilgrims perform prayers at the Grand Mosque. AFP

Muslims pray around the Kaaba. AFP

A Muslim worshipper touches the Kaaba. AFP

Prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP

A pilgrim performs prayers. AFP

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah officials have asked people to take precautions due to the heat. AFP

The ministry will guide pilgrims on the etiquette and rituals of Hajj as part of the 'Proclaim to the People' initiative. AFP

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