Enormous crowds of worshippers thronged the holy city of Makkah Friday for the biggest Haj pilgrimage in years. More than 2mn people from more than 160 countries are expected to attend the annual pilgrimage.
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This year's Haj — one of the world's biggest annual religious gatherings — could break attendance records, officials said. "As the Haj draws near, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prepares... for the largest Islamic gathering in history," Minister of Haj and 'Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah said in a video published by the ministry this week. The first batch of pilgrims from Qatar has arrived in Makkah.

Friday prayers are being performed in the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia on June 23. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS