Worshippers circumambulate the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, marking the start of sacred Hajj rituals in sweltering summer heat

Over 1.5 million international pilgrims have arrived in the kingdom, joining the faithful in one of Islam’s holiest gatherings

Despite regional tensions and global uncertainty, the faithful continue to arrive in Mecca for the once-in-a-lifetime journey

For pilgrims, Hajj is a profoundly spiritual journey that offers an opportunity to seek God’s forgiveness and the cleansing of past sins

Pilgrims prepare to travel toward Mina, where they will continue the next stages of the Hajj rituals in tented camps

In the days ahead, pilgrims will gather at the plain of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj experience

Worshippers walk through the Grand Mosque complex under misting fans as authorities work to ease extreme heat conditions

Faithful believers perform evening prayers around the Kaaba as the spiritual atmosphere intensifies in Mecca

Hajj brings together large numbers of Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes, creating a sense of unity for many.