Thousands of Muslim pilgrims attended weekly prayers at Mecca's Grand Mosque on Friday (May 30), in anticipation of the annual hajj pilgrimage.

Hajj is an annual pilgrimage that draws millions of Muslims to the holy city of Mecca, where they carry out a series of sacred rituals first practiced by the Prophet Mohammad over 1,400 years ago.

As the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj is a religious duty required once in a lifetime for every physically and financially able Muslim. It represents the highest expression of Islamic faith, devotion, and global unity.

The pilgrimage takes place during the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, meaning its timing shifts each year in relation to the solar calendar. As a result, both Hajj and Ramadan occur in different seasons over time.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (MAY 30, 2025) (QUR’AN TV - Must not obscure logo)

1. VIEW OF KAABA AND PILGRIMS SURROUNDING IT

2. IMAM, MAHER AL MUEAQLY, GIVING FRIDAY SERMON

3. PILGRIMS SITTING INSIDE THE GRAND MOSQUE LISTENING TO FRIDAY SERMON

4. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS AT THE GRAND MOSQUE, SOME HOLDING UMBRELLAS, LISTENING TO FRIDAY SERMON

5. PILGRIMS AROUND KAABA

6. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS AT THE GRAND MOSQUE LISTENING TO SERMON

7. PILGRIMS STANDING UP TO START FRIDAY PRAYER

8. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS PERFORMING PRAYERS, PROSTRATING

MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (MAY 30, 2025) (QUR’AN TV - Must not obscure logo) (OVERLAID WITH ARABIC AUDIO OF PRAYERS)

9. PILGRIMS STANDING INSIDE THE GRAND MOSQUE AFTER PRAYER