The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws millions of visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world.

Around 2.5 million Muslims are expected to attend this year's Hajj pilgrimage, which is highlighted by the Day of Arafah, one day prior to Eid al-Adha.

Eid al-Adha is the holiest of the two Muslims holidays celebrated each year, it marks the yearly Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) to visit Mecca, the holiest place in Islam.

From dawn to dusk on Thursday, the crowd will visit Mount Arafat to spend the day in supplication and contemplation.

Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon on the granite hill more than 1,400 years ago.

"We hope that Allah will forgive our sins, and we hope to have a new start with our God," Khaled Ahmed, a 47-year-old pilgrim from Egypt, told the Associated Press news agency.

In his sermon, the prophet is believed to have called on his followers to repay their debts, beware of Satan, perform five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan and give to charity.

He also called on those with the means to do so to perform the Hajj once in a lifetime and reminded worshippers of women's rights.

No ethnic group or race has superiority over another, except in piety and good action, he is quoted in Islamic texts as saying.

During the Hajj, male pilgrims are required to wear seamless, white terrycloth garments for the entirety of the pilgrimage.

Women wear loose clothing, cover their hair and forgo makeup and nail polish to achieve a state of humility and spiritual purity.

Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who are able to perform the pilgrimage.

Some pictures of the last year's pilgrimage.

 
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