Over 1.5 million Muslims begin filling a vast tent city in Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage carried out against the backdrop of hopes for an end to the war in the Middle East, AFP reports.

This year’s rites, drawing Muslim worshippers from across the world, including Iran, followed by waves of attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours.

Saudi officials have been keen to keep conflict far from the minds of visitors, many of whom have travelled long distances for one of the world’s largest annual pilgrimages.

Despite the uncertainty triggered by the conflict, Saudi officials noted over the weekend that more pilgrims had travelled from abroad to participate in this year’s Haj than in 2025.