MAKKAH, Jan 29: Some 1.7 million pilgrims will begin Haj rituals in Makkah on Friday amid tightened security measures. The pilgrims will in the early hours of Friday set out on foot or by bus for Mina, an arid valley 10 kilometres from here, marking the start of the Haj.

They will spend the day in prayer and meditation in Mina, which has been transformed into a site of fireproof tents. Before dawn on Saturday, the faithful will move towards Mount Arafat for the culmination of the Haj, symbolizing the Final Judgment at the scene of the Holy Prophet's (pbuh) last sermon 14 centuries ago.

The pilgrims will then return to Mina to sacrifice an animal, marking Eid-ul-Azha, to be celebrated on Sunday. They will spend two more days in Mina to take part in the stoning of the devil.

Saudi security forces, who have warned they will not tolerate any attempt to undermine security during the Haj, have imposed strict controls on access to the Makkah region.-AFP