Annual Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca: Pictures

Muslim pilgrims circle counterclockwise at Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, in the Grand Mosque of Mecca. MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images
A Muslim pilgrim prays while facing the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Thousands of tents are prepared to host millions of Muslim pilgrims during the annual Hajj in Mina, on the outskirts of Mecca. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
A group of Muslim pilgrims walk to Mount Arafat as they take part in the hajj rituals in Mecca. Ozkan Bilgin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A Muslim pilgrim prays outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
A Muslim pilgrim cries while praying at the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Muslim pilgrims sleep near the Grand Mosque in Mecca. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Muslim pilgrims pray while touching the Kaaba. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
View of Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque. MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images
Muslim pilgrims walk outside the Grand Mosque. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Muslim pilgrims circle counterclockwise at Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba. MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images
A Muslim pilgrim uses an electric wheelchair to circle the Kaaba. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
Kuwaiti vendors at a livestock market in Kuwait City ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images
A Pakistani camel seller watches prospective customers at an animal market set up for the forthcoming sacrificial Eid al-Adha festival in Lahore. Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
Muslim pilgrims queue atop Noor Mountain outside the Hiraa cave, where Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from God to preach Islam, on the outskirts of Mecca. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy
A Muslim pilgrim reads the holy Muslim book Quran on his mobile phone atop Noor Mountain. AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy