Muslims from over 150 countries around the globe have descended on Mecca in Saudi Arabia as preparations for the annual Hajj pilgrimage have begun.
The five day pilgrimage is due to begin on Saturday, 10th September.
Aljazeera is reporting that close to 1.5 million Muslims are expected to make the journey to Mecca's Grand Mosque to re-enact the actions of the Prophet Muhammad.
قواÙÙ„ #الØجاج تنطلق من رØاب طيبة #الØج #Øج_1437 #المشاعر_المقدسة #hajj #hajj_2016 #مكة https://t.co/GKy8xqZmDC pic.twitter.com/iYhiewWK8u
— صØاÙØ© سعودية (@saudia_press) September 9, 2016
Added security measures are in place this year after over 750 people were killed in a stampede at last year's ceremony.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have also have also become strained after the Saudi's barred any Iranians from attending this years event.
#Iranians protest exclusion from #hajj in #Tehran. Read More: https://t.co/6qEIfbP15Ohttps://t.co/6qEIfbP15O
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) September 9, 2016
