Pilgrims begin sacred journey in Mecca amid heat and regional tensionsLast updated: May 25, 2026 | 11:422 MIN READMuslims from across the globe gather in the holy city of Mecca for Hajj 2026, one of Islam’s most significant annual pilgrimages. From moments of deep prayer to vast crowds moving in unison, these images capture the devotion, unity and spirit of the sacred journey.
AFP1/11Muslim pilgrims perform evening prayers around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from abroad for this year’s Hajj, according to Saudi authorities.AP2/11A Muslim pilgrim becomes emotional upon arriving at the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage.AFP3/11Saleh bin Saad Al Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said the foreign pilgrim arrivals had surpassed 1.5 million. Many worshippers described a mix of gratitude and relief at being able to undertake the journey.AFP4/11Muslim worshippers walk through the Grand Mosque complex beneath cooling water-mist fans in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.AFP5/11A group of pilgrims discuss the rituals of circumambulating the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.AP6/11A Muslim pilgrim prays in front of the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.AFP7/11A Muslim pilgrim records a live video while praying as worshippers circumambulate the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.AFP8/11As temperatures soar, pilgrims have been performing rituals in intense heat, circling the Kaaba in Mecca’s Grand Mosque while using umbrellas, fans and water sprays to cope.AFP9/11A Muslim pilgrim feeds pigeons outside the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage at the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, AP10/11A Muslim pilgrim reacts as a volunteer sprays water to help cool worshippers outside the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca.AP11/11Female Muslim worshippers take photographs as they arrive at the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, within the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Mecca.AFPAlso In This PackageDevadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 27 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct.
