Muslim pilgrims ascended Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Monday (August 20th) for the climax of the annual hajj, AFP reported.
More than two million Muslims from around the globe started the pilgrimage on Sunday, with the interior ministry reporting that the number of pilgrims arriving in Mecca included large contingents from Egypt, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Muslims on Tuesday observe the first day of Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the hajj.
The kingdom has mobilised vast resources for the six-day journey, a pillar of Islam.
Every Muslim is required to complete the pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy and have the means to do so.
Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed for the pilgrimage, with the kingdom this year launching a "smart hajj" initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care.
