Journey to Mecca: Images from the Haj pilgrimage

Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual haj at the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023.

Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj at the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25.

A Sudanese Muslim family walk outside the holy Kaaba, as they arrive from Sudan to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

A girl looks on outside the holy Kaaba, as people arrive to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

Muslim pilgrims visit Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

General view of the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual haj, Saudi Arabia, June 25.

Muslim pilgrims pray during a visit to Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

Muslim pilgrims are seen after performing Al-Esha prayer at the holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

Tents are seen ready in the Mina area for pilgrims to do pilgrimage rituals, as Muslims start arriving to perform the annual haj, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25.

Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

Muslim pilgrims pray during a visit to Mount Al-Noor, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel in the Hira cave, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 24.

Muslim pilgrims perform the Umrah at the Holy Kaaba, as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj at the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25.