IN PICS | One Million Pilgrims Flock To Mecca For Biggest Hajj Since Covid

Banners welcomed the devout, including the first international visitors since 2019, as armed security personnel patrolled the historic city, Prophet Muhammad's birthplace.(Source: AFP)

Worshippers in white robes from all over the world have flocked to Mecca as Islam's holiest city prepares to welcome the largest hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus outbreak.(Source: AFP)

Masks are no longer required in most Saudi enclosed venues, although they will be required in the Grand Mosque. Pilgrims from other countries will be required to produce a negative PCR test result.(Source: AFP)

One million vaccinated pilgrims under the age of 65 will do the hajj under rigorous hygienic conditions, with the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, washed and disinfected ten times every day.(Source: AFP)

After two years of dramatically reduced numbers owing to the pandemic, one million individuals, including 850,000 from outside, are permitted to attend this year's hajj – a major pillar of Islam that all able-bodied Muslims are obligated to do at least once.(Source: AFP)

Around 2.5 million people participated in the rites in 2019, which included circling the Kaaba, the towering black cube at Mecca's Grand Mosque, meeting at Mount Arafat, and stoning the demon in Mina.(Source: AFP)