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Muslim pilgrims mass in Mecca for haj
Muslim pilgrims circle counterclockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, late on Monday
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span class="inline inline-center">Muslim pilgrims circle counterclockwise Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, late on Monday. (AFP/Mohammed Al-Shaikh)
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world began moving on Tuesday from the holy city of Mecca to nearby Mina for the start of the haj.
Almost two million people are expected to take part in this year's pilgrimage, undeterred by a crane collapse in Mecca earlier this month that killed 109 people and injured nearly 400 at Islam's holiest site.
"It is a gift from God that He has chosen us to come here," said Walaa Ali, a 35-year-old Egyptian pilgrim with tears in her eyes. "I am so happy to be here."
Nearby, both men and women sat side by side listening to preachers explain the history and rituals of the haj, one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
This year's haj begins against a backdrop of increased jihadist violence, a surge of the deadly MERS virus and with Saudi Arabia at war in Yemen.
The first day of the haj is known as Tarwiah Day, when pilgrims traditionally watered their animals and stocked water for their trip to Mount Arafat, about 10 kilometers southeast of Mina.
Nowadays pilgrims spend their time there in prayer and reciting the Koran.
The climax of the haj season is on Arafat Day, which falls on Wednesday.
With the start of the haj, pilgrims enter the stage of ihram -- a state of purity in which they must not wear perfume, cut their nails, or trim their hair or beards.
During ihram, men wear a seamless two-piece shroud-like white garment, symbolizing resurrection and emphasizing unity regardless of social status or nationality.
Women must wear loose dresses exposing only their faces and hands.
They are following the 1,400-year-old tradition of the Prophet Muhammed.
The haj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform the pilgrimage at least once in their life.
Previously marred by stampedes and fires that killed hundreds, it had been largely incident-free for the past decade after safety improvements.
But on Sept. 11, during severe winds, a construction crane toppled into a courtyard of Mecca's Grand Mosque.
Saudis, Iranians, Nigerians, Malaysians, Indonesians and Indians were among the dead.
- 'Terror' threat -
Authorities say they are on the alert for possible attacks by the extremist Islamic State group, which has carried out bombings targeting mosques in the kingdom in recent months.
Security forces have taken "measures to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting haj season to carry out acts of sabotage," said interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki.
The ministry says 100,000 police have been deployed to secure haj.
"We take all possibilities into consideration during haj. This includes the kingdom being targeted by terrorist organizations," Turki told AFP.
Saudi Arabia is also at war this year, leading an Arab coalition conducting air strikes and supporting local forces in Yemen against Iran-backed rebels since March.
Most Yemeni pilgrims performing the haj this year are already residing in the kingdom.
Among other challenges facing Saudi authorities this year is potential transmission of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
The capital Riyadh saw a jump in infections last month.
But health officials have insisted that so far no MERS infections have been recorded among pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia is the country worst affected by MERS, with 528 deaths since the virus appeared in 2012.
The health ministry has mobilized thousands of health workers to help secure a virus-free pilgrimage.
