MEKKA: Millions of Muslim pilgrims started performing the first phase of the annual hajj on Monday, traveling through packed streets from Mecca’s Grand Mosque to the enormous camp at Mina just outside the Saudi Arabian city.

Islam’s pilgrimage is one of the faith’s five pillars and is a duty for all Muslims once in their lives if they are capable of it.

People get special closeness to almighty Allah through Hajj. It’s a traditional way which was started from the period of Prophet Hajrat Ibrahim (AS) and being observed till now.

However, on Monday, the pilgrims will travel a further 7-km to Mount Arafat, where they must stand in prayer, a moment many Muslims sees as the climax of the Hajj.

They will then spend the evening on the plains of Muzdalifah where they must pick up pebbles to use the following day to hurl at three large walls representing Satan in Jamarat, between Mecca and Mina.

One of the last rituals will take place on Wednesday and marks the first day of Eid-ul-Azha, the annual feast of sacrifice. The symbolic “stoning of the devil” is followed by the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a lamb.

During the remaining three days of the hajj, the pilgrims continue the ritual stoning before performing the circumambulation of the Kaaba shrine in Mecca and heading home.

Every year millions of pilgrims perform Hajj in KSA due to do the repent sins in this old house of God where the good deeds are doubly rewarded here.

BDST: 1415 HRS, OCT 14, 2013
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