In pictures: Millions of Muslims gather in Mecca for Hajj Pilgrimage

Millions of Muslims from around have descended on the holy city of Mecca to partake in the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia (AFP)

Muslim pilgrims praying at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal Rahma or the mountain of mercy, is the most important day of the pilgrimage (AFP)

The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam (AFP)

The Hajj consists of a series of religious rites that are completed within the space of five days. Saudi officials estimate that 1.86m pilgrims have made the pilgrimage this year (AFP)

Pilgrims come from all over the world, including Indonesia and Pakistan, to partake in the Hajj (AFP) 

Every able-bodied Muslim who can is supposed to go on Hajj at least once in their lifetime (AFP)

This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition.