Hajj Pilgrimage 2016

Photos by Nariman El-Mofty Muslim pilgrims have begun arriving at the holiest sites in Islam ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with some weeping with their hands outstretched for a fleeting touch of the Kaaba.

Two Million Muslims Start Hajj Pilgrimage

Photos by Mosa’ab Elshamy More than 2 million Muslims on Tuesday started the first rites of the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest pilgrimages that draws people from different countries to the holy city of Mecca to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at erasing past sins.

Iranian Pilgrimage

Photos by Ebrahim Noroozi More than a thousand people trekked across Iran this past week to visit a shrine in this ancient Persian city, a pilgrimage like many others in the Islamic Republic – until you notice men there wearing yarmulkes.