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STORY: Saudi authorities said they are expecting a total of three millions pilgrims from around the world for this year's annual Haj pilgrimage, as hundreds of thousands of Muslims arrived on Saturday (September 27).
In the searing heat, the Grand Mosque in Mecca saw pilgrims arrive in large numbers for the annual religious journey, which is viewed as one of the Muslim faith's greatest acts of worship.
The visitors were wearing wearing the simple white folds of cloth which are prescribed for Haj, and circling round the Kaaba at the mosque's center.
It's estimated that almost two million people have so far arrived at the site in Saudi Arabia for the Haj, which will reach a peak on Monday (September 29).
With temperatures hitting 36 celsius (96.8F), many congregated in the cooler shadow of the building's minarets.
Haj occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hijjah.
