By Ahmed al-Masri
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia
More than two million Muslim pilgrims converged on Saudi Arabia's Mina Valley outside Mecca on Thursday to begin the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
"Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" (O God, here I am, answering your call) pilgrims chanted, as they embarked on a slow but steady trek to the tent city.
Pilgrims – coming from all over the world – will spend one day and one night in prayer before setting out for Mount Arafat on Friday morning for the spiritual journey's climax.
They will then return to Mina after spending the night in the Muzdalifah area on the route between Mount Arafat and Mina.
In Mina, they will take part in the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamrat al-Aqaba and sacrifice animals to mark the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday, which begins Saturday.
The Hajj ritual is the "fifth pillar" of the Islamic faith, one that must be performed by Muslims – if financially viable – at least once.
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