Muslims gather in Mecca ahead of Haj

Islamabad, Aug 17: An estimated one million pilgrims on the Hajj have already arrived in Saudi Arabia before the start of the huge Hajj pilgrimage this weekend.

Over a million more Muslims are expected to make the journey this year as Muslims gather from all around the world.

Pilgrims were praying around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam's most sacred site, where Muslims go each year to perform the Haj, reports media.

Saudi Arabian authorities announced earlier that more than 1.6 million people had arrived in the holy city of Mecca for this year’s Haj, which starts on Sunday.

The five day pilgrimage is the world's largest single gathering of people and this year begins on the evening of August 19.

Hajj takes place from the 8th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijja which is the final and the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and seen as a sacred duty that must be undertaken at least once - although exceptions are made for financial hardship and ill health.