Hajj 2018 in pictures

Muslim pilgrims walk towards the Namirah mosque on Arafat Mountain during the annual hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. More than 2 million Muslims ha

Pilgrims walk towards the Nimrah mosque near Mt Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. [Dar Yasin/AP Photo]

Blind Muslim pilgrims are accompanied by relatives as they walk towards the Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain at Arafat for the annual hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday,

Visually impaired Muslim pilgrims walk towards Mt Arafat accompanied by relatives. [Dar Yasin/AP Photo]

Muslim pilgrims from Indonesia arrive at the plains of Arafat on the eve of the annual Haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 19, 2018.REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Pilgrims from Indonesia arrive at the plains of Arafat on the eve of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]

Muslim pilgrims take photos at the Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain, or the mountain of forgiveness, at Arafat for the annual hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Aug. 20,

Pilgrims take photos at Jabal al-Rahma, or the Mountain of Mercy. [Dar Yasin/AP Photo]

A Muslim pilgrim prays as another pilgrim takes a photo, at Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain, or the mountain of forgiveness, at Arafat for the annual hajj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saud

The five-day pilgrimage is required of all financially and physically able Muslims at least once in their lifetimes. [Dar Yasin/AP Photo]

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 20, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Pilgrims gather on Jabal al-Rahma, on the plains of Arafat. Around 54 million pilgrims have attended the Hajj over the past 25 years, according to official figures. [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]

Muslim pilgrims pray on the Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain, or the mountain of forgiveness, at Arafat for the annual hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018.

During Hajj, male pilgrims wear two unstitched pieces of white cloth that cover their body, known as the ihram. Women wear loose-fitting clothing. [Dar Yasin/AP Photo]

A Muslim pilgrim prays as she gathers with others on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 20, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra B

A pilgrim prays on Jabal al-Rahma, or the Mountain of Mercy. [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]

For Muslims, the Hajj re-enacts the farewell pilgrimage of the Prophet Muhammad in the year 632. It is a central pillar of the Islamic faith meant to cleanse followers of sin and bring them closer to God. [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]