In pictures: Pilgrims mark second Haj overshadowed by Covid-19

Just 60,000 people, all citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia, were selected to take part in this year's Haj.
Published July 20, 2021

This year's Haj is being held in downsized form and under coronavirus restrictions for the second year running.

Just 60,000 people, all citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia, were selected to take part in this year's Haj, with foreign pilgrims again barred.

Once drawing some 2.5 million Muslims from across the globe to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage was dramatically scaled back due to the virus.

Muslim pilgrims pray near Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray near Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP

A Muslim pilgrim on a wheelchair is pushed by another pilgrim on the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage on July 19. — Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim on a wheelchair is pushed by another pilgrim on the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage on July 19. — Reuters

Mulism pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP
Mulism pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP

A Muslim pilgrim prays at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage on July 19. — Reuters
A Muslim pilgrim prays at the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage on July 19. — Reuters

Muslim pilgrims pray at the Namira Mosque on Arafat Day, the climax of the Haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah on July 19. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Namira Mosque on Arafat Day, the climax of the Haj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah on July 19. — AFP

Muslim pilgrims gather to perform noon and afternoon prayers at Namira Mosque in Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah on July 19. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims gather to perform noon and afternoon prayers at Namira Mosque in Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah on July 19. — AFP

Muslim pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP

Muslim pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP
Muslim pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Makkah, during the climax of the Haj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic, on July 19. — AFP

Muslim pilgrims hold stones before casting them at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mina on July 20. — Reuters
Muslim pilgrims hold stones before casting them at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mina on July 20. — Reuters

Muslim pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mina on July 20. — Reuters
Muslim pilgrims cast stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mina on July 20. — Reuters

Muslim pilgrim shave their heads on the second day of Eidul Azha after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage on July 20. — Reuters
Muslim pilgrim shave their heads on the second day of Eidul Azha after throwing stones at a pillar symbolising Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage on July 20. — Reuters


Header image: Muslim pilgrims pray at Namira Mosque on the plain of Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage on July 19. — Reuters