Hajj 2012: Muslims Embark On Pilgrimage To Mecca PHOTOS

Hajj is the oldest and most sacred ritual of Islam.

The pilgrimage focuses on the holy city of Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It is the largest pilgrimage in the world and is to be performed at least once by every able bodied Muslim who can afford it. The white robes symbolize purity and equality under God.

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque during the annual haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 23, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. REUTERS

Pigeons fly over the Grand Mosque at Friday prayers during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 19, 2012. The Arafat Day, when millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage, will be held on October 25 and Eid al-Adha or the feast of sacrifice will be held on October 26, according to an official announcement on Tuesday. REUTERS

Two Egyptian Muslim pilgrims pray as other pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 22, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray in front of Station of Ibrahim "Maqam Ibrahim" at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 23, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. REUTERS

The four-faced Mecca Clock Tower is seen with characters that read "There is no god only the God, and Mohammed is his prophet" near the moon at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 22, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Noor where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel, during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca October 21, 2012. REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims attend Friday prayers at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 19, 2012. The Arafat Day, when millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage, will be held on October 25 and Eid Al-Ahda or the feast of sacrifice will be held on October 26, according to an official announcement on Tuesday. REUTERS

 A Muslim pilgrim is seen through a bus window near characters that read "Al Hajj" as she heads to Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca October 24, 2012. Nearly 3 million Muslim pilgrims started the first phase of the annual hajj on Wednesday, travelling through packed streets from Mecca's Grand Mosque to the enormous camp at Mina just outside the Saudi Arabian city. REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims touching and praying door of the Kaaba at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 23, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage.

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 22, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. REUTERS

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 23, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. REUTERS

A general view of the Namera mosque as Muslim pilgrims head to hear the afternoon Arafat speech near the holy city of Mecca October 24, 2012. Nearly 3 million Muslim pilgrims started the first phase of the annual hajj on Wednesday, travelling through packed streets from Mecca's Grand Mosque to the enormous camp at Mina just outside the Saudi Arabian city.

A Muslim pilgrim attends a prayer session near a gold shop near the surrounding area of the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 20, 2012. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. REUTERS

A Muslim pilgrim boy walks near a pigeon after performing Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 19, 2012. The Arafat Day, when millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on the mount of Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage, will be held on October 25 and Eid Al-Adha or the feast of sacrifice will be held on October 26, according to an official announcement on Tuesday. REUTERS

 Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca October 22, 2012, ahead of Eid al-Adha which marks the end of hajj. On October 25, the day of Arafat, millions of Muslim pilgrims will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat near Mecca at the peak of the annual pilgrimage. REUTERS