Pilgrims pray during Friday prayers inside the Grand mosque in Mecca, 05 Dec 2008. Millions of Muslims from all over the world are taking their first steps in the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Officials in Saudi Arabia say 2.5 million Muslims have come to the holy city of Mecca for the start of the annual rite Saturday.
From Mecca, the white-robed pilgrims will travel to a tent city in the valley of Mina. There, they will pray and prepare for the trip to Mount Arafat Sunday, where the Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon.
Saudi Arabia has deployed 100,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of those making the five-day pilgrimage. Helicopters, armored vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks are part of the security operation.
Saudi Arabia has spent more than $1 billion rebuilding a two-level pedestrian bridge to avoid the deadly stampedes that have taken place during the Hajj in recent years.
Two years ago, more than 300 pilgrims were crushed to death in a stampede during a ritual in which pilgrims symbolically stone the devil. The Saudi Press Agency reported there were no such problems last year, although 600 pilgrims died from disease or old age.
The pilgrimage is one of Islam's five obligations. Every Muslim, if capable, must perform it at least once during his or her lifetime.
By VOA.
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