
They have been taken by Hollywood's biggest stars and even caused a stir during Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

Now selfie fever is taking one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar by storm - much to the anger of hardline Muslims.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins today, has seen a rise in the number of pictures being taken on camera phones during the rite of passage in Saudi Arabia as followers share their experiences with family and friends back home.

But some scholars have taken issue with the practice, which they see as a 'touristy' distraction from the prayers and rituals that form one of the five pillars of Islam.

It came as around two million Muslims from all corners of the globe arrived in Mecca today for the start of the pilgrimage at the city's Grand Mosque.

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Holy site: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the world arrive for prayer at Mecca's Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia for the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage

Call to prayer: Every adult Muslim is required to complete the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in their life as long as they are physically and financially capable of doing so

Jeddah-based scholar Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem told Arab News: 'Photography without a legitimate reason is an issue of dispute among scholars.

'However, despite this difference of opinion, there shouldn’t be any dispute when it comes to the real meaning of Haj and the essence behind it.

'It is based on sincerity and following the sunnah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) when he went for Hajj, he said: "O Allah, I ask of you a pilgrimage that contains no boasting or showing of". Taking such selfies and videos defy the wish of our Prophet.'

Meanwhile, fellow scholar Abdul Razzaq Al-Badr added: 'It is as though the only purpose of this trip is to take pictures and not worship.'

Camera phones were, until a few years ago, banned from the holy mosques, but authorities appear to have relaxed the rules more recently.

It is now not uncommon to see pilgrims taking photos inside, although guards reportedly prevent people taking professional cameras with them, it was noted by International Business Times.

Every adult Muslim is required to complete the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime as long as they are physically and financially capable of making the expensive and difficult journey.

Each year, Muslim faithful from about 180 countries converge on the Islamic city of Mecca and other locations in western Saudi Arabia to complete the holy journey.

Rite of passage: Muslims follow handbooks and guides to successfully fulfil the ten requirements of the pilgrimage to Mecca

A time-lapse photograph shows Muslims walking counter-clockwise around the cube-shaped Kaaba that is believed to have been built by Abraham 4,000 years ago

PILGRIMS BANNED OVER FEARS OF EBOLA OUTBREAK IN SAUDI ARABIA Pilgrims from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been banned from taking part in the Hajj this year to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus entering Saudi Arabia. The three nations are among the hardest-hit by the killer disease which has killed more than 3,000 people in West Africa this year. However, Nigeria, where Ebola has killed eight people, was granted permission to send pilgrims to the world's largest gathering of Muslims. Advertisement

The week of Hajj occurs during the last month of the Islamic calendar and requires pilgrims to perform ten services or rituals before and during Hajj.

The first begins around six miles from Mecca when pilgrims enter a state of holiness known as Ihram in the days before the start of the pilgrimage.

Men are required to wear two white seamless cloths with no knots and footwear must show the ankle and back of the foot, it was noted by the International Business Times.

Women are not allowed to wear the traditional Burqa and Niqab to ensure their faces can be seen.

In the second phase, known as Tawaf, when the faithful reach the Grand Mosque, they walk counter-clockwise seven times around the cube-shaped Kaaba – believed to have been built by Abraham 4,000 years ago.

It is this building that, wherever you are in the world, Muslims are expected to face when praying - it is the most sacred location in Islam.

Each circuit starts by kissing the Black Stone, called Hajar al-Aswad. Alternatively, pilgrims can point to it if prevented by the crowds.

After the circuits, pilgrims pray before drinking water from the Zamzam well, which is dispensed in coolers around the mosque.

The third rite, known as Sa'ay, requires walking or running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, which are now enclosed by the Grand Mosque.

Afterwards, the men shave their heads and women cut off part of their hair to end the restriction of Ihram.

Most sacred location in Islam: The Kaaba is the building that, wherever you are in the world, Muslims are expected to face when praying

Pillar of Islam: Hajj coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, and is meant to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family

HAJJ PILGRIMAGE BY NUMBERS 2,000,000 - Number of Muslims arriving in Mecca today 188 - Different nationalities that arrived last year 120kg - of gold and silver threads used to cover the Kaaba 45,000 - tents erected in Mina to house the pilgrims £615million - amount spent by Saudi Arabia on facilities Advertisement

On the first day of Hajj, Muslims proceed to Mina for prayers then head to Mount Arafat, around 20km east of Mecca, the following day to repent their sins.

The sixth requirement sees the pilgrims arrive back at Mina to perform a symbolic stoning of the devil.

They do this by throwing seven stones at the largest of three pillars, which for safety reasons have now been replaced by walls with areas to catch the projectiles.

After this, animals are slaughtered to mark the sacrifice of Abraham and Ishmael.

In the eighth rite, the pilgrims return to the Grand Mosque for another Tawaf. Then, on the fourth day of Hajj, they head back to Mina to 'stone the devil' again and repeat this ritual the following day.

For the final rite, the pilgrims return to the Grand Mosque for a farewell Tawaf.

Hajj, the fifth of the pillars of Islam, coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, known as the Feast of the Sacrifice and is meant to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family.

Every year, Muslim faithful from about 160 countries converge on the Islamic city of Mecca and other locations in western Saudi Arabia to complete the holy journey

The week of Hajj occurs during the last month of the Islamic calendar and it requires pilgrims to perform a number of services or rituals before arriving in Mecca