The numbers of pilgrims are expected to rise further over the next two days as they continue to arrive from abroad ahead of the formal rituals that mark the beginning of the hajj on Monday.

Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims able to perform the pilgrimage - later this month over 2.5 million pilgrims…

Saudi Arabia has been directly hit by missiles and drones during the Iran war, but the country is hosting the all-important Muslim pilgrimage anyway.