Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims took part in the annual "stoning of the devil" ceremony on Sunday.

As Eid al-Adha got underway, the pilgrims — each wearing a seamless white garment and carrying pebbles — traveled across Mina Valley, near Mecca in western Saudi Arabia, in scorching temperatures to symbolically "humiliate" the devil.

Large fans sprayed water over the worshipers as they chanted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greatest" in Arabic) and each threw seven of the little stones at a pillar representing Satan.

Read more: The hajj in Mecca attracts millions Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

The hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, begins Destination Mecca On Friday, around 2 million Islamic pilgrims are expected in Mecca, a holy city in Saudi Arabia, for the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage. Over five days, the faithful follow a path that is said to have been taken by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad around 1,400 years ago. Muslims always try to pray while facing toward the Kaaba — the square shrine seen here — wherever they are in the world.

The hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, begins The heart of Islam On Friday, thousands of pilgrims circled the Kaaba counterclockwise seven times. It is Islam's holiest shrine. Pilgrims also tilt their hearts toward the cube-shaped structure as part of the ritual.

The hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, begins A truly global event The hajj is one of the most diverse gatherings in the world. Several hundred thousands of the more than 2 million pilgrims are from Saudi Arabia. To avoid any risk to safety, Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims not to discuss politics or divisive issues and to focus on worship.

The hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, begins A tent city for the faithful Most making the hajj will spend Friday night at this tent city in Mina, which can house 2.6 million in total. On Saturday, they will leave for Mount Arafat, around 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) east of Mecca. Wealthier hajjis stay in lavish hotels overlooking the Kaaba. But most people stay in simple accommodations; some even sleep on the ground.

The hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, begins Freedom from status and sin For Muslims around the world, the hajj is meant to be a unifying event and pilgrims shed displays of wealth and materialism. Male pilgrims wear simple white clothes. Women go without makeup, nail polish and perfume. The hajj is seen as an opportunity to strengthen faith and absolve sins. All hajjis, regardless of their backgrounds, perform the same rituals.

The hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, begins Once in a lifetime As one of the five pillars of Islam, all Muslims are expected to make the hajj once in their lifetime, if they have the physical and financial means. Last year, 2.4 million people took part in the hajj, and a similar turnout is expected for 2019. This year, Saudi King Salman invited 200 survivors and relatives of the mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, that killed 51 people.



Animal sacrifice

The ceremony is a Muslim tradition which takes place every year on the first day of Eid, following two days of prayer and meditation.

After the stone-throwing ritual, male pilgrims traditionally change out of their robes, shave their heads and slaughter a sacrificial animal — usually a goat, sheep, cow, or camel. Women cut off a lock of their hair. The practices mark spiritual rejuvenation.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that every Muslim is required to complete at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so.

This year officially drew 2.49 million pilgrims to Islam's holiest sites.

Mina has been the site of deadly stampedes. In 2015, more than 2,300 pilgrims were crushed or suffocated to death.

Read more: 'Safety errors' to blame for Hajj stampede

The hajj by the numbers Hajj by the numbers... In Mecca, pilgrims pray while they walk around the cube-shaped Kaaba at the center of one of Islam's holiest sites. All Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to visit the holy site at least once in their lifetime. More than 2 million pilgrims are expected to attend the hajj this year; in 1941 there were just 24,000 attendees.

The hajj by the numbers 7 times around Walking counter-clockwise, Muslims circle the cube-shaped Kaaba, which represents the metaphorical house of God, as they recite prayers.

The hajj by the numbers 54 milion pilgrims Some 54 million pilgrims have attended the hajj over the past 25 years. Saudi officials believe that, by 2030, some 30 million pilgrims will visit the country's holy sites at Mecca and Medina every year.

The hajj by the numbers 8 million copies Officials say 8 million copies of the Quran, in various translations, as well as other religious books will be handed out during the five-day gathering.

The hajj by the numbers 2,000 dead The threat of a terror attack remains ever present but stampedes have historically posed the biggest threat. Thousands have been trampled to death over the years. The deadliest stampede occurred in 2015 when more than 2,000 people were killed, according to three international news agencies. The Saudi government maintains the death toll was 769.

The hajj by the numbers 180 ambulances Some 25 hospitals along with 180 ambulances and 30,000 health particioners are on hand to provide emrgency medical care. Tens of thosuands of air-conditioned tents have also been set-up as temperatures are expected to top 40C (105F) throughout the week.

The hajj by the numbers 3,000 Wi-Fi points About 16,000 telecommunication towers have been installed, along with 3,000 Wi-Fi access points.

The hajj by the numbers 18,000 security personnel Some 18,000 civil defense employees are among the tens of thousands of security personnel. Thousands of security cameras have also been deployed.

The hajj by the numbers By air and by land Pilgrims are arriving by land and by air. About 14,000 international and domestic flights, along with 21,000 buses, have ferried pilgrims to the holy site.



kw/jlw (dpa, AFP)

Each evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.